"VAN" (Sports Desk - 06.01.2026) :: A new chapter was written in the DP World ILT20 as the Desert Vipers were crowned champions of Season 4, sealing their maiden title with a dominant 46-run victory over MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium. Alongside the coveted trophy and Black Belt (Belt for the franchise owner), the Vipers claimed a winners’ purse of USD 700,000, while runners-up MI Emirates collected USD 300,000.
Once again, the DP World ILT20’s signature belts underlined the depth of competition across the season, with a flurry of standout individual performances ensuring the race for the awards remained alive until the final match, each belt carrying a prize of USD 15,000.
Desert Vipers skipper Sam Curran enjoyed a remarkable campaign, claiming both the Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) and the Green Belt (Best Batter). Dubai Capitals’ left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil topped the bowling charts to earn the White Belt (Best Bowler), while MI Emirates opener Muhammad Waseem continued his dominance by securing the Blue Belt (Best UAE Player) for a fourth straight season.
Red Belt – Most Valuable Player
Sam Curran’s all-round influence powered the Desert Vipers through the tournament, culminating with a second-consecutive Red Belt. The Vipers captain finished Season 4 with 397 runs, including three half-centuries, complemented by seven wickets and 10 catches, accumulating a competition-high 691 points. His unbeaten 74 in the final against MI Emirates played a key role in the Vipers lifting their maiden trophy.
He edged out strong challenges from Gulf Giants’ Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 233 runs and claimed 12 wickets while finishing with 499 points, and MI Emirates’ Tom Banton, who amassed 327 runs with two half-centuries and ended the season with 470 points.
Green Belt – Best Batter
Curran led the Green Belt charts with 397 runs at a strike rate of 135, amassing 475 points. His 17 sixes were second in the league, only behind Gulf Giants’ Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Close behind were MI Emirates’ Muhammad Waseem with 370 runs and 435 points, and Desert Vipers’ Max Holden, whose 359 runs featured three half-centuries, 41 fours and 419 points.
White Belt – Best Bowler
Dubai Capitals’ Waqar Salamkheil emerged as the most effective bowler of the season, finishing with 18 wickets, including three three-wicket hauls, at an economy rate of 7.66. This is his second White Belt in the DP World ILT20 after Season 2. He was closely followed by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ Ajay Kumar, who also finished with 18 wickets, and Desert Vipers’ David Payne, who picked up 17 wickets.
Blue Belt – Best UAE Player
MI Emirates’ Muhammad Waseem once again set the benchmark among UAE players, claiming the Blue Belt after a prolific season. Waseem amassed 370 runs at a strike rate of 132 and finished with 470 points overall. He was challenged by Desert Vipers’ Khuzaima Tanveer, who combined 17 wickets with 108 dot balls, including an incredible 4/10 against the Gulf Giants during the season. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ Ajay Kumar bagged 18 wickets.
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