Masood Ul Rahman Gurbaz
Player Information
Masood Ul Rahman Gurbaz Player Overview
Masood Ul Rahman Gurbaz is a wicketkeeper-batter who joins Dubai Capitals for DP World ILT20 Season 5. Originally from Afghanistan and now building his cricket career in the UAE, Masood earned his opportunity after making an impression in the UAE domestic and ILT20 development system.
He is the younger brother of Afghanistan international wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but Masood is pursuing a different international pathway. After limited opportunities in Afghanistan, he declared his intention in 2026 to build his future in UAE cricket.
Playing Style
Masood is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter who can play an attacking role at the top of the order. His performances in the 2026 ILT20 Development Tournament showed his willingness to score quickly rather than simply occupy the crease.
His wicketkeeping adds further value and gives Dubai Capitals additional depth in a specialist position. With Phil Salt and Tom Moores also in the squad, the Capitals have several wicketkeeper-batting options with different levels of international and domestic experience.
Which Team Does Masood Gurbaz Play for in ILT20?
Masood Ul Rahman Gurbaz plays for Dubai Capitals in DP World ILT20 Season 5. The franchise signed him through the Season 5 Player Auction after he participated in the ILT20 Development Tournament.
Masood was acquired for US$10,000, completing a Dubai Capitals auction group that combined established international stars with emerging players from the UAE and Associate cricket pathways.
2026 ILT20 Development Tournament
Before earning his Dubai Capitals contract, Masood represented Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development in the 2026 DP World ILT20 Development Tournament. The competition was designed to provide UAE-based players with an opportunity to perform ahead of the Season 5 Player Auction.
Masood made a strong impression early in the tournament. Against Gulf Giants Development, he scored 74 from 44 deliveries, demonstrating the attacking batting ability that helped put him in contention for a full ILT20 contract.
Move Towards UAE Cricket
Masood was born in Afghanistan but has been living in the United Arab Emirates and has chosen to pursue his future international ambitions with the UAE rather than Afghanistan.
In September 2026, he explained that limited opportunities in Afghanistan had influenced his decision. He had been resident in the UAE for more than three years on and off and registered for the ILT20 auction through the local-player pathway.
His exact eligibility date for UAE international cricket was still uncertain at that stage because ICC residency calculations can be affected by time spent outside the country. For that reason, Masood should not yet be described as a UAE senior international.
Relationship with Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Masood is the younger brother of Afghanistan international star Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Both brothers live in Ajman, although their careers are now following different international paths.
Rahmanullah has established himself for Afghanistan and in major franchise competitions around the world, while Masood is working through the UAE cricket system. Masood has spoken openly about his ambition to eventually represent the UAE and potentially play against Afghanistan and his older brother at international level.
Path to Dubai Capitals
Masood’s route into the Dubai Capitals squad highlights the purpose of the ILT20 Development Tournament. Rather than arriving with a long senior international record, he earned attention through UAE-based cricket and a competition specifically designed to expose emerging players to the ILT20 franchises.
His 2026 development campaign was followed by selection at the Season 5 Player Auction, where Dubai Capitals added him to a squad featuring experienced names such as Faf du Plessis, Marcus Stoinis, Rovman Powell and Phil Salt.
What Masood Gurbaz Adds to Dubai Capitals
Masood gives Dubai Capitals a developing wicketkeeper-batter who already has experience of UAE conditions. His aggressive batting in the Development Tournament suggests he can provide an attacking option if opportunities arise during the season.
For Dubai, he also represents a longer-term prospect rather than only an immediate first-choice player. Training and competing alongside experienced international cricketers provides Masood with another stage in his development after his move into the UAE cricket pathway.
Masood Ul Rahman Gurbaz in ILT20 Season 5
DP World ILT20 Season 5 will be an important step in Masood Ul Rahman Gurbaz’s career. After trying to progress through Afghanistan cricket and then shifting his focus towards the UAE, he now has an opportunity within a full ILT20 franchise squad.
Dubai Capitals begin their Season 5 campaign against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Dubai International Stadium on 22 November 2026. Masood enters the tournament as an emerging wicketkeeper-batter looking to turn his development-level performances into opportunities on the ILT20 stage.