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WATCH: Shimron Hetmyer takes a brilliant catch to dismiss Nicholas Pooran in ILT20 2025-26 | Read

By Sandy Verma

An exciting match took place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 9 December. ILT20 2025-26 as compared, Desert Vipers by MI Emirates India maintained its undefeated streak by defeating IPL by one run and achieved its fourth consecutive win. Batting first, Vipers scored 159/4 in 20 overs, with max holden Made 42 more runs in 37 balls. Fakhar Zaman Scored 35 runs in 31 balls, while andreas gauss Retired early due to injury after scoring 21 runs in 15 balls. MI Emirates, chasing the target of 160, finished at 158/9, with david penn The performance of 4/29 proved to be decisive.

Shimron Hetmyer’s stunning catch dismisses Nicholas Pooran

The decisive moment of the match came in 13.5 overs when Shimron Hetmyer by Sam Curran on the ball of nicholas puran Took a brilliant diving catch, which changed the course of the game. Pooran, who was 31 off 29 balls and hit four fours, mistimed a short-of-length delivery from Curran and pulled it to deep midwicket.

Hetmyer, who was positioned at the boundary, jumped into a full-length horizontal dive while running to the left and took the catch cleanly, taking MI’s Emirates score to 98/3. This athletic gem, which has been described as being like an eagle hunting, has earned Puran and tom banton Ended the 42-run partnership between and inspired the Vipers defence.​

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Desert Vipers’ tactical edge leads to thrilling win against MI Emirates

The Vipers’ innings picked up momentum in the powerplay, reaching 51/0 with an opening partnership of 50 runs from 36 balls, before Gaus’ retirement dealt a blow to the team. Holden’s steady innings took a strategic turn when, Pooran Rashid Khan Controversially turning down a stumping chance, Vipers retired him in 15.6 overs (118/2), followed by Hetmyer (15 off 9 balls, one six) and dan lawrence (15* from 8 balls) took a significant lead of 41 runs in the last four overs.

Chasing the target, MI Emirates scored 49/1 in the powerplay, with Muhammad Wasim K’s 24 and Banton’s aggressive 34 runs, which crossed the 50 mark in 6.1 overs. After a brilliant catch by Hetmyer, wickets started falling: Penn dismissed Banton (101/4), Kieron Pollard (23 from 13 balls, 144/7) and dismissed the others, taking three wickets for one run in a brilliant 19th over. Tajinder Singh K’s 17 from 7 balls (two sixes) took them to 150/7 in 19.4 overs, but Rashid Khan ‘s 13* off 8 balls (one six and one four) fell short of one run on the last ball, which was Vriyatya Arvind A quick run-out ended the innings. Penn received the Player of the Match award for this brilliant performance.

This one-run win cements Vipers’ position at the top, while MI Emirates regrets wasting their start, the encounter witnessed a wonderful blend of athleticism, strategy and theatrics.

Also read: Twitter reactions: Rovman Powell’s explosive performance helps Dubai Capitals defeat Desert Vipers to win ILT20 2025 title

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