Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has joined Dubai Capitals for ILT20 2026, replacing Luke Wood. His participation is contingent on an NOC from the BCB due to a clash in the BPL schedule. This is Mustafizur’s ILT20 debut amid a strong squad of global stars. Dubai Capitals announced the signing of left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman. This will be his debut in the International League T20, as he had not played in the league before. The defending champions announced Mustafizur’s appointment on social media platforms.
The 29-year-old pacer, fondly known as ‘The Fizz,’ joins the squad, replacing England’s Luke Wood, who will not be available for the tournament. Meanwhile, Mustafizur’s participation may depend on getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), as the tournament overlaps with the next season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The BCB has previously imposed restrictions on the availability of players for overseas leagues, especially when they coincide with domestic commitments.
During IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals had announced Mustafizur’s replacement ahead of time after Mitchell Starc withdrew following Operation Sindoor. The BCB initially did not offer an NOC, but after persistent negotiations, Mustafizur was allowed to join for the final three league matches. It remains to be seen if such an arrangement is made once again, as the BCB would not want to see Mustafizur out of the BPL under any circumstances. The fourth edition of the ILT20 will be held from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Mustafizur is no stranger to franchise cricket, having represented teams in several top leagues around the world. His career includes experience playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lanka Premier League (LPL), and England’s Vitality Blast. In 289 T20 matches, he has taken 362 wickets at an average of 21.49 and an economy rate of 7.45. His record includes four wickets six times and five wickets four times, reflecting their status as a strong team in the shorter format.
Mustafizur’s Experience
This is Mustafizur’s sixth overseas franchise league, having previously played with IPL franchises Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals. Earlier in the 2025 IPL, he was bought by Delhi Capitals, replacing Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Looking ahead to the next IPL auction, which is expected to be a smaller one, Delhi Capitals will have to make a decision. The new replacement rules mean they cannot automatically retain Mustafizur and will have to bid for him again if they want to acquire his services.
This will be Mustafizur’s fifth stint in a foreign league. He has previously represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL; Dambulla Sixers in the LPL; Lahore Qalandars in the PSL; and Sussex in the NatWest T20 Blast.
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Which other players have been retained by Dubai Capitals?
Meanwhile, Dubai Capitals have strengthened their squad by adding several other international players, including Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib, Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera, as well as West Indies’ Rovman Powell and Shai Hope. The team will look to defend their title on the back of their experience and strength. And with the addition of this young speedster, the squad looks formidable.