Watch, ILT20 | Naseem Shah tricks Pollard with mind games before getting better of him in final

‌Desert Vipers clinched their maiden International League T20 title with a 46-run victory over MI Emirates in the final in Dubai on Sunday. Captain Sam Curran led from the front with an unbeaten 74 in 51 balls, which included eight fours and two sixes, to help the Vipers to a formidable 182/4 in 20 overs. The Pakistan duo of Naseem Shah and Usman Tariq, then, tied the Emirates down with their accurate bowling, picking up 3/18 and 2/20, respectively, in their four-over spells.

Naseem was not only good with the ball, but also showed the usually chirpy Kieron Pollard his place with his clever mind games. The Emirates all-rounder was on six off seven balls when the Pakistan pacer returned to bowl his third over at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

And Naseem was in great rhythm, conceding just nine runs and picking up two wickets in his first two overs before bowling another tight one. He did not allow the big batter to free his arms, bowling the hard lengths on the stumps to keep him quiet.

He repeated the feat even in the last ball of the over, pitching on a good length outside off stump before it seamed in viciously. The former Mumbai Indians batter somehow managed to block it out, but looked very uncomfortable. The pacer was quick to irk him with an exaggerated couple of claps before latching onto the ball.

Naseem did not stop there, giving the batter an irritating smile as well, and Pollard was clearly not impressed. He slowly walked to the bowler before the duo exchanged some words, but the umpire was quick to intervene and diffuse the tension.

However, Naseem continued his barrage of words as the umpire kept pushing him away from the big man. The crowd clearly seemed to enjoy as they acknowledged the drama with loud cheers. And Naseem had the last laugh too, getting the big man out in his last over before going on to lift the title with the team.

Naseem takes on the big Pollard!