Desert Vipers’ first DP World ILT20 title was the result of four seasons of steady work rather than a single standout campaign, according to head analyst Freddie Wilde.
The Vipers lifted the trophy in Dubai last week, having been one of the competition’s most consistent teams since the league began. Wilde said the success reflected long-term clarity rather than short-term momentum.
“It was a successful season,” he said. “But it was also a fair reward for four seasons where the Vipers have been one of the strongest teams year after year.”
Wilde pointed to continuity behind the scenes as a major factor. The same senior leadership group has been in place since the inaugural season, with Phil Oliver as chief executive, Tom Moody as director of cricket and James Foster as head coach.
“That consistency creates clarity,” Wilde said. “Players arrive knowing how we want to play. That familiarity builds confidence.”
He said the Vipers have resisted the urge to make quick changes, a common feature of franchise cricket.
“We define roles clearly and give players time in them,” he said. “We try not to be reactive. Backing players has been central to what we’ve built.”
On the field, the Vipers stayed loyal to a bowling-led approach, which Wilde believes still suits ILT20 conditions.
“We’re fairly old school,” he said. “Strong bowling, solid starts with the bat, then acceleration later on. Get to par or just above and defend it well. That balance still works here.”
Wilde has been with the Vipers since the league began and said the growing impact of UAE players has been the biggest change across the four seasons.
“The rise of UAE players has been the standout shift,” he said. “For us this season, Khuzaima Tanveer was outstanding.”
Tanveer finished with 17 wickets, joint third-highest in the tournament. Wilde said his control with the new ball and ability to use local conditions set him apart.
“He swung it a long way and hit his areas,” Wilde said. “He also contributed with the bat. He’s an all-round cricketer who would get into teams regardless of squad rules.”
The title-winning campaign was supported by strong performances across the squad. Captain Sam Curran won the Red Belt as the tournament’s most valuable player for a second straight season, scoring 397 runs and taking seven wickets. Max Holden scored 419 runs, including three half-centuries, while David Payne also finished with 17 wickets.
Wilde said the difference came from the spread of contributions.
“Standout players give you a base,” he said. “But almost every regular player made a defining contribution at some point. That’s what turns consistency into titles.”
He also believes the ILT20’s expanding involvement of associate and GCC players will have a lasting effect on cricket in the region.
“This season’s links with players from places like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia matter,” he said. “The impact may take time, but exposure to this level raises standards. We’ve already seen that with UAE players, and I expect the same over time.”
