ILT20: Sam Curran, Muhammad Waseem star with individual performances in Season 4 - acknowledged with signature belts

The ILT20 Season 4 produced a new champion on Sunday night as Desert Vipers clinched their maiden title with a commanding 46-run win over MI Emirates in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.The victory brought the Vipers not only their first ILT20 trophy but also the tournament’s distinctive Black Belt for franchise owners, along with a winners’ purse of $700,000. MI Emirates, finishing runners-up, took home $300,000 after falling short in the summit clash.

As has become a hallmark of the ILT20, individual honours were fiercely contested right through to the final. Each of the tournament’s signature belts — awarded for standout performances — carried a prize of $15,000, reflecting the depth and competitiveness seen across the season.Leading the way was Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran, who capped a memorable campaign by claiming both the Red Belt for Most Valuable Player and the Green Belt for Best Batter.

Curran finished the season with 397 runs, including three half-centuries, while also contributing seven wickets and 10 catches. His tally of 691 points was the highest in the competition, underlined by an unbeaten 74 in the final that set the tone for the Vipers’ decisive win.

Curran faced stiff competition for the Red Belt, with Gulf Giants all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai (233 runs and 12 wickets) and MI Emirates batter Tom Banton (327 runs) both mounting strong challenges.

The Green Belt race was equally competitive. Curran’s 397 runs came at a strike rate of 135, with his 17 sixes second only to Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the tournament. He was followed closely by MI Emirates opener Muhammad Waseem, who scored 370 runs, and Desert Vipers’ Max Holden, whose 359 runs included three half-centuries.The White Belt for Best Bowler went to Dubai Capitals left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil, who finished with 18 wickets at an economy rate of 7.66. It marked his second White Belt in the tournament’s history, after first achieving the feat in Season 2. He was pushed closely by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders pacer Ajay Kumar and Desert Vipers seamer David Payne.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Blue Belt for Best UAE Player went to Muhammad Waseem. The MI Emirates opener continued his consistent run in the league, scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 132 and finishing with 470 points. Desert Vipers’ Khuzaima Tanveer also impressed, combining 17 wickets with sustained pressure through dot balls, while Ajay Kumar’s 18-wicket haul added further competition in the UAE players’ category.