Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders from next season’s IPL based on the instruction given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India is unlikely to get any financial compensation via insurance. While Mustafizur has had no role to play in this saga, which has unfolded because of political tensions between the two countries, the seamer who was bought for Rs 9.20 crore by KKR may have to sit home empty handed.
“Players usually take insurance once they are contracted with a franchise. Even if they don’t turn up in India because of an injury, based on their insurance policy they get to earn some portion. But, in this case, unless Mustafizur specifically opted for some clause, he won’t be getting any insurance claim,” sources in the know said.
Mustafizur’s case is unique as he has been released by a franchise after signing up at the auction. Usually, in the IPL, the salaries of all the players are insured. Even in the case of them missing the entire tournament because of an injury after reporting to the camp, players tend to take home 50 per cent of their earnings. But this situation is different.
Moreover, after the BCCI ejected Mustafizur from the IPL, according to reports the Bangladesh Cricket Board has also taken back the No-objection certificate issued to its star player. Sources point out, even this is a unique situation which means even if the player contests, the franchise in question (KKR) has a strong case not to pay. “If the NOC has been taken back, then even KKR have no obligation to pay,” sources said.
So unless Mustafizur has put specific clauses in his insurance claim where he would end up missing IPL for any off-field related issues other than injury, he is unlikely to get any claim. The details of the policy are only privy to the player.
On Saturday, explaining the Indian board’s stand on the issue, Saikia had said, “Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad.”
On Monday, Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting ministry banned the telecast of IPL matches in their country, saying that the move “to release” Mustafizur “has hurt and angered the Bangladesh citizens”. BCB also wrote to the ICC to switch their T20 world cup venues from India to Sri Lanka.