ILT20: Shakib, Mustafizur shine in their team wins

Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman delivered strong performances for their respective teams in the IL T20, helping secure victories yesterday.

Shakib produced an all-round performance to help MI Emirates secure a four-wicket win over Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

After quiet outings in his first two matches, Shakib made a clear impact in his third appearance of the tournament. He bowled four overs for just 14 runs and took two wickets, without conceding a single boundary. Twelve of his 24 deliveries were dot balls.

He was introduced in the seventh over and took his first IL T20 wicket on the final ball of that over. He followed it up with another wicket in the next over. Shakib was also involved in the dismissal of Sam Curran, taking a return catch in the ninth over. He conceded only three runs each in the 11th and 15th overs, helping restrict Desert Vipers to 124 for seven.

In the chase, MI Emirates lost six wickets but reached the target with 15 balls remaining. Shakib remained unbeaten on 17, contributing to a controlled finish.

Mustafizur continued his consistent form for Dubai Capitals in their match against Gulf Giants at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. After conceding 13 runs in his first over, Mustafizur returned in the 14th and took three wickets in four balls. He dismissed James Vince for 36, Azmatullah Omarzai for 43, and Shaun Dickson, significantly reducing the Giants' momentum.

Gulf Giants were bowled out for 156. Mustafizur later returned in the 18th over, conceding 11 runs, and finished with figures of 3.5–0–34–3. He was named Player of the Match.

Dubai Capitals chased down the target with six wickets in hand and four balls remaining. Mustafizur now has 14 wickets from seven matches in the tournament.