The Desert Vipers’ unbeaten run in DP World ILT20 Season 4 came to a dramatic end on Tuesday night as the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders edged out a one-run victory at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Liam Livingstone starred with a blistering 76 to power the Knight Riders to 181/5 before Andre Russell, Ajay Kumar and Jason Holder combined to hold their nerve in a tense finish.

Chasing 182, the Vipers made a confident start through Fakhar Zaman and Max Holden, who added 53 without loss in the powerplay. Holden reached a 40-ball half-century as the pair kept the chase on track.

The momentum shifted in the middle overs when Andre Russell removed Holden in the 12th over and returned to dismiss Zaman two overs later. Sunil Narine then tightened the squeeze, conceding just 23 runs in his four overs.

Hasan Nawaz briefly reignited hopes with two sixes in the 16th over but fell immediately, while Sam Curran and Shimron Hetmyer departed in quick succession. Needing 12 in the final over, the Vipers fell just short as Ajay Kumar closed out the game.

Earlier, the Knight Riders recovered from a shaky start after slipping to 9/2 inside two overs. Alex Hales provided early impetus before Livingstone and Alishan Sharafu steadied the innings. Livingstone later accelerated alongside Sherfane Rutherford, adding 68 runs in the final five overs to lift Abu Dhabi to a competitive total.

Brief scores

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 181/5
(Liam Livingstone 76, Alishan Sharafu 39; Lockie Ferguson 3/34)

Desert Vipers 180/6
(Max Holden 52, Fakhar Zaman 44; Andre Russell 2/16, Ajay Kumar 2/47)

Result: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won by 1 run