The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have been told to get the men’s team’s upcoming matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup moved out of India after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League (IPL) team following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Asif Nazrul, the advisor for Youth and Sports in the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh, said that he has instructed the BCB to raise the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and make it clear the team “won’t feel safe” playing their games in India.
Placed in Group C along with England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies, Bangladesh are set to play all their group stage matches in India. Their first three matches are scheduled to be played in Kolkata while the last is slated to be hosted by Mumbai. “As the advisor in charge of the Sports Ministry, I have asked the Board of Control for Cricket in Bangladesh to explain the entire matter to the ICC and write to it,” said Nazrul on his Facebook page.
“The board should make it clear that where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to the World Cup. I have also instructed the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka.”
Nazrul further said that he has requested the country’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor to not broadcast IPL matches in Bangladesh.
The ongoing political crisis between the two countries have thrown a shadow of uncertainty on their cricketing ties, with the BCCI on Saturday also putting India’s tour of Bangladesh later this year on hold along with getting KKR to release Mustafizur.
“We didn’t travel to Bangladesh last year too, BCB had issued their international calendar, but it looks doubtful, as we need Indian government approval to play in any other country. As far as the T20I World Cup is concerned, Bangladesh will play as per the scheduled games in India,” a top BCCI official had told the Indian Express.
Political storm over KKR’s Mustafizur Rahman acquisition
KKR had bought Mustafizur in the auction ahead of the 2026 season of the IPL in December. However, in recent days, KKR and their co-owner, Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan came under intense criticism and pressure, with various political leaders calling for the three-time IPL champions to remove Rahman from their squad.
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Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadrachary had called the 60-year-old actor “anti-national”, adding that he had no character.
“…It is unfortunate (Shah Rukh Khan took Bangladeshi cricketer in KKR for IPL 2026), but he will do so because he is considered a hero. Shah Rukh Khan’s stance has consistently been at odds with the nation. He has no character. His character has always been questionable and anti-national,” Rambhadrachary said.
Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey had also targetted the actor, adding that they would not allow Rahman to play at “any cost”.
“If Shah Rukh Khan plays him and earns money, that money will be used to nurture terrorists there and conspire against our country. We will not allow this to happen at any cost,” he said.
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KKR said in a statement that came shortly after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced communicating with the franchise, that it has released Mustafizur. “The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course,” it added.