Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman made an impactful debut in the International League T20 on Saturday for Dubai Capitals

He produced a strong all-round performance with the ball and in the field, even as his team, the Capitals, suffered a four-wicket loss to Gulf Giants in the United Arab Emirates.

Playing his first match of the tournament, Mustafizur finished with figures of two for 26 from four overs and also took two catches in the field.

Despite his efforts, Dubai Capitals were unable to defend their total of 160 runs, which Gulf Giants chased down with seven balls to spare.

Mustafizur struck with the very first delivery of his spell, removing Gulf opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the start of the second over. He returned to bowl the final over of the powerplay but narrowly missed another wicket when James Vince mistimed a shot off his last ball.

David Willey dropped the chance at backward point, and the ball ran away for four. That over conceded 10 runs, and Vince went on to play a decisive role in the chase.

The left-arm pacer returned to make another key breakthrough in the 12th over, dismissing Pathum Nissanka, who had already reached his half-century.

Mustafizur then produced a tight final spell, conceding just five runs across his last two overs after giving away 21 runs in his first two.

By the time Mustafizur completed his spell, Gulf Giants still needed 29 runs from 24 balls, a target they reached comfortably. Nissanka played a match-winning innings of 67 runs from 31 balls and was named player of the match.