Desert Vipers pulled off another heart-stopping win in ILT20 Season 4, edging MI Emirates by just one run in a thriller at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The victory marked their fourth straight win, but more importantly, it showcased how smart decision-making under pressure can completely shift a match.

Defending a modest 159, the Vipers looked short of answers for large parts of the chase. However, everything changed in the 19th over when David Payne produced a game-turning spell, grabbing three wickets and finishing with superb figures of 4 for 29.

While Payne’s brilliance stole the spotlight, one tactical moment earlier in the match proved to be equally decisive. At 117 for 1 in 15.5 overs, MI Emirates had a clear chance to dismiss Max Holden, who was on 42 off 36. Rashid Khan bowled a teasing delivery outside off, drawing Holden out of his crease. The left-hander swung hard but failed to connect, giving wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran a straightforward stumping opportunity.

ALSO READ: Arshdeep Singh Teases Bumrah Over Featuring in His Next Viral Reel

Instead of whipping off the bails, Pooran made a deliberate choice—he let Holden stay. The move, widely known as a tactical non-stumping, was aimed at keeping the set but slower-scoring batter at the crease to reduce the Vipers’ finishing momentum.

Tactics? Oneupmanship?

Nicholas Pooran chose not to stump Max Holden, but the Vipers had a trick up their sleeve as well, retiring the batter the very next ball.

What do you make of this? 👇#DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket #WhereTheWorldPlays pic.twitter.com/CPK4D0H4lW

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) December 9, 2025

But the Vipers had a counter-move ready. In the very next over, they retired Holden out and sent in Sam Curran to provide late-innings firepower. The switch worked perfectly as the Vipers pushed their total to 159/4 before their bowlers held their nerve to restrict MI Emirates to 158/9.

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Credits Girlfriend For His Comeback After Match-Winning Heroics vs South Africa

Reflecting on the narrow defeat, MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard admitted his side had let the game slip away. “We didn’t finish well in the last couple of overs. Cricket teaches you that momentum can shift anytime—you can lose from a winning position, and that’s exactly what happened tonight,” he said.