Bangladesh pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman made an immediate mark in the ILT20 as he debuted for Dubai Capitals against Gulf Giants in the UAE. Even though his team lost by four wickets, Mustafizur’s performance left fans and pundits impressed.
The Capitals batted first, posting 160 runs, a challenging but achievable target for Gulf Giants. Mustafizur’s spell began with a bang as he dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the very first ball he bowled. His opening over conceded just 11 runs, signalling a promising start for the left-arm pacer.
He returned in the final over of the powerplay, creating a key chance when James Vince edged a delivery. Unfortunately, David Willey, positioned at backward point, failed to complete the catch, allowing Vince to continue his innings and eventually score an unbeaten fifty.
Mustafizur remained disciplined throughout his spell, delivering tight overs and conceding minimal runs. In the 12th over, he broke the crucial partnership by dismissing Patum Nishanka, who had already reached a half-century. He continued to dominate, conceding only three runs in the 16th over and just five in his final two overs.
Despite his efforts, Gulf Giants chased down the target comfortably with 24 runs required from 24 balls at one point. Nishanka’s aggressive 67-run innings from 31 balls earned him the Player of the Match award and sealed the victory for his side.
With this defeat, Dubai Capitals have now lost both their opening games, while Gulf Giants have secured consecutive wins, placing them firmly at the top of the points table. Mustafizur’s debut, however, reinforces his reputation as a world-class T20 bowler capable of turning games with his cutters and precise bowling.