Mustafizur’s Four-Ball Triple Wicket Turns Match for Capitals

Mustafizur Rahman continues his scintillating form in the International T20 League in the United Arab Emirates. After taking wickets in each of the first six matches, the Bangladesh left-arm pacer once again made a decisive impact in his seventh outing, claiming three wickets in just four balls and steering the Dubai Capitals to a thrilling victory.

At Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium, the Gulf Giants were bowled out for 156 runs. Chasing the target, Mustafizur’s Dubai Capitals reached the mark with four balls and six wickets to spare, thanks in large part to the Bangladeshi star’s spellbinding bowling.

Winning the toss, Dubai Capitals elected to field, handing the ball to Mustafizur in the second over. Earlier, the Kolkata Knight Riders recruit, bought for ₹9.2 crore, had struggled with the new ball, conceding 13 runs.

Captain Mohammad Nabi handed him the ball again in the 14th over, by which time the Gulf Giants had scored 110 for three. After being hit for a boundary on the first delivery and a wide on the next, Mustafizur struck immediately on the second legal delivery. James Vince, on 36 off 34 balls, attempted an off-cutter to the onside but was caught behind by the wicketkeeper.

The next delivery brought another wicket. Azmatullah Omarzai, looking solid at the crease, was struck by an off-cutter and bowled after scoring 43 off 26 balls, deflating the Giants further.

The third wicket in this explosive four-ball sequence came via a brilliant delivery outside leg stump that went past Shaun Dickson’s bat and dislodged the bails, leaving him stumped. The next delivery saw an LBW appeal against Mark Adair, but it was turned down, denying Mustafizur a hat-trick. The over ended with the Giants 116/6.

Returning to bowl in the 18th over, Mustafizur gave away 11 runs. Although a chance to claim another wicket was missed when Ian Afzal Khan’s catch was dropped, the final over witnessed a dramatic collapse: three wickets fell in succession, all run-outs, ending the Giants’ innings.

Mustafizur finished with 3.5–0–34–3, earning the Player of the Match award for his exquisite off-cutter mastery. With this performance, he now has 14 wickets from seven matches, solidifying his reputation as one of the tournament’s premier strike bowlers.

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