Desert Vipers lost the first final, lost the third, and then won the fourth. Their maiden title came in January 2026, a 46-run win over MI Emirates, and the Season 5 auction has given them one of the most eye-catching squads in the league.
Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan are all on the list, alongside Shimron Hetmyer, Dan Lawrence and Mujeeb ur Rahman.
Desert Vipers at a glance
How last season went
The Vipers topped the Season 4 table with eight wins from ten games and beat MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final on 4 January 2026, making 182/4 and bowling the Emirates out for 136. Sam Curran was the leading run scorer with 397 runs and the Player of the Tournament.
The earlier finals were painful. They lost the first final to Gulf Giants by seven wickets in 2023 and the third to Dubai Capitals by four wickets in 2025. Alex Hales, the competition's all-time leading run scorer with 1,156, has played for them.
Desert Vipers squad (post-auction)
Squad list after the ILT20 Season 5 auction on 1 October 2026 (official auction results). Remaining purse: USD 456,000.
Desert Vipers fixtures
The ILT20 match schedule has not been published yet. The season runs from 22 November to 20 December 2026 across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and the ILT20 hub on CricketDream lists every fixture as soon as it is released.
Vipers fantasy picks
- Babar Azam: a top-order anchor. Expect him to bat in the powerplay and score through the innings.
- Shadab Khan: leg-spin plus lower-order hitting. A fantasy staple.
- Naseem Shah: new-ball wickets. The Vipers' best chance of early breakthroughs.
- Mujeeb ur Rahman: an Afghan spinner who bowls in the powerplay as well as the middle.
Facts worth knowing
- The Vipers have been in three of the four ILT20 finals.
- The 2025-26 final was won by 46 runs: 182/4 against 136 all out.
Squads for ILT20 2026/27 are still being finalised, so confirm the playing XI on each match page before you lock. CricketDream adds every confirmed squad to the games as it is announced.
Play free on CricketDream
Every CricketDream game is free, with no entry fee and no prize pool. Pick 11 players within the credit budget, choose a captain (2x points) and vice-captain (1.5x points), and your score updates live through the match.
Open the ILT20 hub for every fixture, team and your free games.
Open ILT20 hubFrequently asked questions
Have Desert Vipers won the ILT20?
Yes, once: the 2025-26 title, beating MI Emirates by 46 runs.
Who is the Vipers top scorer from last season?
Sam Curran, with 397 runs.
Is Babar Azam in the ILT20?
Yes, he is in the Desert Vipers squad after the Season 5 auction.
When does the ILT20 start?
22 November 2026.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes.