The Desert Vipers juggernaut rolls on in the DP World ILT20 as their sixth straight win of the season earned them a place in the playoffs.

Their opponents on Sunday at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai Capitals, couldn't cope with the all-round brilliance as the Vipers recorded an emphatic five-wicket victory to become the first team to reach the playoffs.

It was the perfect day for the Vipers who also used the match for raising their concerns against global environmental problems.

Their players entered the field wearing special jerseys made from recycled materials, reminding sports lovers of their responsibility to protect the planet.

While the fans applauded their efforts to make a difference, the Vipers then used their cricket skills to bring the Dubai International Stadium to its feet.

Having lost the final twice — in 2023 and 2025 — the Vipers will hope to clear the final hurdle in the fourth season of the UAE's IPL-style T20 league.

Vey few would bet against the Sam Curran-inspired team after yet another display of attacking cricket.

The England star led from the front with his all-round skills on Sunday, taking two important wickets — Leus du Plooy (54) and Rovman Powell (0) — to help the Vipers restrict the Capitals to 166 for four on a good batting wicket.

Sam Curran bowls.

The Capitals, though, did manage to recover after slumping to 94 for four when Curran dismissed top-scorer Du Plooy and the dangerous Powell in back-to-back deliveries in the 14th over of the innings.

Jordan Cox (49 not out off 30 balls) and Dasun Shanaka (29 not out off 18 balls) shared an unbroken 72-run partnership off just 40 balls to ensure their bowlers had something to bowl at.

But the total of 166 was never going to challenge the red-hot Vipers, who reached home with two balls and five wickets to spare.

Curran (52 not out off 33 balls, 2 fours, 3 sixes), who walked in at 53 for two, was magnificent with the bat, scoring his second successive half-century after his unbeaten 67 against the Gulf Giants on Friday.

Curran plays a shot. 

Max Holden (34) and Hasan Nawaz (31) played their part, but Curran batted with great composure to help the Vipers become the first team to win six consecutive matches in the tournament.

“We’re in a good space after putting together a couple of strong performances, and for me, the real satisfaction comes from finishing the job for the team," said Curran, who was named man of the match.

"It went a bit deeper than we would have liked, but my focus is always on reading the situation and seeing the game through. When you’re winning, it simplifies decision-making, but we know we still need to keep improving and carry this momentum into the business end.”

Meanwhile, Capitals’ skipper Shanaka rued the team's poor bowling display.

“At 166, we had a competitive total, especially considering the quality of the bowling. However, our spinners didn’t hit the lengths we were looking for, and that made a difference," he said.

"The Desert Vipers are a strong side with five genuine bowling options, which makes them hard to contain. We had the firepower, but the key question is how we build our innings, and in hindsight, another 10 to 15 runs would have put us in a much stronger position.”

The comfortable victory was the icing on the cake for the Vipers who had earlier engaged fans at the stadium through their 'green activities', encouraging them to learn about protecting nature.

Brief scores

Desert Vipers beat Dubai Capitals by five wickets

Dubai Capitals 166/4 in 20 overs (Leus du Plooy 54, Jordan Cox 49 not out, Dasun Shanaka 29 not out, Sam Curran 2 for 17)

Desert Vipers 171/5 in 19.4 overs (Sam Curran 52 not out, Max Holden 34, Hassan Nawaz 31, Dasun Shanaka 2 for 19, Haider Ali 1 for 20)

Player of the match: Sam Curran