Three Wickets in One Over: Mustafizur Steals Spotlight

Bangladeshi left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman once again made headlines in the United Arab Emirates, following a sensational performance for Dubai Capitals in the International League T20 (ILT20). Just a day after being acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹9.2 crore at the IPL auction in Abu Dhabi, Mustafizur showcased his lethal bowling skills against MI Emirates in Dubai by claiming three wickets in a single over.

The match marked Mustafizur’s fifth appearance in this season’s ILT20. Prior to today, he had picked up six wickets across four matches, though he had never taken more than two in a single innings. His performance in Dubai, however, turned the game on its head.

Mustafizur’s 18th over of the innings became the defining moment. Playing for Dubai Capitals, he sent Rashid Khan, Tom Banton, and A.M. Gaznfar back to the pavilion, conceding only a solitary run in the process. The over began with an off-cutter that Rashid Khan drove to mid-off, safely pouched by Dasun Shanaka (3 balls, 1 run). The third delivery was a slower ball, which Banton drove straight to mid-wicket where Du Plooy took a sharp catch (11 balls, 5 runs). The fifth ball, outside off-stump, saw Gaznfar caught at slip by Du Plooy (2 balls, 0 runs).

Interestingly, Mustafizur had a challenging start in the match. In his second over of the innings, he conceded two boundaries to Johnny Bairstow, finishing the over with 10 runs. His second spell, the 16th over, was far more economical, giving away just six runs to K.M. Mendis and Banton, along with a single wide.

Despite his remarkable triple-wicket over, Mustafizur could have added more to his tally in his final over. A chance to dismiss Romario Shepherd ended in disappointment when a catch in the boundary was dropped by Cox, allowing the batsman to score a boundary and a six. Mustafizur completed his four-over quota with figures of 4 overs, 34 runs, 3 wickets.

MI Emirates finished their 20 overs at 137/8, setting a modest target. In response, Dubai Capitals were bowled out for 130, falling short by 7 runs. Mustafizur’s batting contribution was minimal; he scored 1 run before being run out.

Mustafizur’s brilliant display once again highlighted his value as a strike bowler capable of turning matches in crucial moments. His performance in Dubai will undoubtedly be a talking point ahead of the IPL season, where he is expected to spearhead the Kolkata Knight Riders’ pace attack.

Mustafizur Rahman’s Performance Overview