Zuhaib Zubair
Player Information
Zuhaib Zubair Player Overview
Zuhaib Zubair is a United Arab Emirates leg-spinner who joins Dubai Capitals for DP World ILT20 Season 5. A right-handed batter and leg-break bowler, Zuhaib has already gained experience in UAE international cricket as well as previous seasons of the ILT20. Dubai Capitals secured him during the Season 5 Player Auction, adding a locally qualified wrist-spin option to their bowling group.
Bowling Style
Zuhaib bowls leg-breaks and can also use the googly, giving him the ability to turn the ball in both directions. Wrist-spin is particularly valuable in T20 cricket because it provides a genuine wicket-taking option through the middle overs, when batting teams are often trying to accelerate against spin.
For Dubai Capitals, Zuhaib offers a different style from left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad. Having both bowlers available gives the Capitals flexibility to create different spin match-ups according to the opposition and pitch conditions.
Which Team Does Zuhaib Zubair Play for in ILT20?
Zuhaib Zubair plays for Dubai Capitals in DP World ILT20 Season 5. The Capitals bought him for US$26,000 at the Season 5 Player Auction, making him one of the franchise’s UAE signings for the 2026 competition.
Before joining Dubai Capitals, Zuhaib represented Gulf Giants in the ILT20. His previous experience in the competition means he arrives at his new franchise already familiar with ILT20 cricket and the three UAE venues used during the tournament.
Previous ILT20 Experience
Zuhaib’s ILT20 career includes a productive first campaign with Gulf Giants. Across the 2024 and 2025 editions, he took 12 wickets in 13 matches, with best bowling figures of 4 for 22. Eleven of those wickets came during his eight appearances in the 2024 tournament.
Those numbers provide Dubai Capitals with a UAE spinner who has already demonstrated that he can take wickets in the competition rather than entering Season 5 without franchise experience.
UAE International Career
Zuhaib has represented the United Arab Emirates in both T20 international and ODI cricket. His international career began during the 2023-24 period, and he has since developed primarily as a wicket-taking spin option in the UAE T20I side.
His early T20I career included 19 wickets from his first 20 matches. Zuhaib’s strongest year during that period was 2025, when he collected 10 wickets from six T20 internationals. Those performances helped strengthen his position among the UAE’s emerging spin-bowling options.
Career-Best 5/21 Against Nigeria
Zuhaib’s standout T20 international performance came against Nigeria in July 2025. He took 5 wickets for 21 runs, recording his first five-wicket haul in T20I cricket. He followed that period with further wicket-taking contributions, including 2 for 13 against Kenya.
In April 2026, Zuhaib took 3 for 29 against Nepal, showing that he continued to provide wickets for the UAE heading towards the ILT20 Season 5 cycle.
2026 ILT20 Development Tournament
Before joining Dubai Capitals for Season 5, Zuhaib represented Gulf Giants Development in the 2026 ILT20 Development Tournament. He contributed with both bat and ball during the competition, including 27 runs and 2 for 38 against Sharjah Warriorz Development.
He also took 2 for 33 in a tied match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development that Gulf Giants Development eventually won in a Super Over. The tournament provided additional competitive preparation in UAE conditions before the main ILT20 season.
Zuhaib Zubair in ILT20 Season 5
Zuhaib enters Season 5 with three useful advantages for Dubai Capitals: UAE international experience, previous ILT20 wickets and familiarity with local conditions. His leg-spin adds another specialist option to an attack containing Noor Ahmad, Mustafizur Rahman, Luke Wood and Matt Potts.
Dubai Capitals begin their Season 5 campaign against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Dubai International Stadium on 22 November 2026. For Zuhaib, the tournament represents an opportunity to build on his previous ILT20 experience while taking on a new role with the Capitals.