The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The move comes amid heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh. KKR can request a replacement player, which BCCI will allow.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the instruction to Indian news agency ANI on Saturday. Mustafizur, 30, was signed in last month’s IPL auction for 92 million rupees, making him Bangladesh’s most expensive IPL player. He has previously played for multiple IPL teams, taking 65 wickets in 60 matches.
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The decision follows protests in New Delhi over the killing of a Hindu factory worker in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. The incident worsened diplomatic tensions, with Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina having fled to India last year after protests.
The 19th IPL season will start on March 26, after India and Sri Lanka host the T20 World Cup in February. KKR now has the option to request a replacement player for Mustafizur.
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Officials said the BCCI will consider replacement requests and maintain IPL schedules. The league continues to prioritize player safety amid political developments.