Bangladesh's T20 World Cup participation on Indian soil next month is in limbo after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday. The left-arm quick was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the mini-auction last month for ₹9.20 crores.
However, upon BCCI's orders, KKR had to release their Bangladeshi recruit, something that didn't go well with the neighbouring country. Protesting against BCCI's decision, Asif Nazrul, Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, stated that they have advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to seek International Cricket Council's (ICC) help on the matter.
Nazrul also dragged Bangladesh's T20 World Cup participation in India into picture. “As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Bangladesh Cricket Board to formally write to the ICC explaining the entire matter,” Nazrul wrote on Facebook.
“The Board should clearly state that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then Bangladesh cannot consider it safe for the entire national cricket team to travel there to participate in the World Cup,” he added in his post.
"I have also directed the Board to request that Bangladesh's World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead," he further added.
It must be noted that although BCCI is an important member of the ICC, the IPL is a private franchise league and is not governed by the ICC in any capacity. In the T20 World Cup 2026, Bangladesh have been clubbed in Group C along with Italy, Nepal, West Indies and England.
They will play three of their group matches at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata while one of their games will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In case Bangladesh don't play in India, their T20 World Cup matches will most likely to be shifted to Sri Lanka, just like Pakistan.
Why was Mustafizur Rahman removed from IPL?
Mustafizur became a victim of sour political relations between the two countries after several Hindus were killed in Bangladesh in recent times. Shortly after Mustafizur's selection in IPL 2026, several political leaders have questioned the move. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan also faced severe backlash with some calling the Bollywood superstar a "traitor".
It must also be noted that after buying a player in an auction, a franchise can't release a player on its own. According to IPL guidelines, a player can be released only when he seeks one or as directed by the BCCI.
Bangladesh to suspend IPL telecast
As a protest, Bangladesh will be suspending the telecast of IPL in the country, according to Nazrul. "I have requested the Adviser for Information and Broadcasting to ensure that the broadcast of IPL matches in Bangladesh is suspended. Under no circumstances will we tolerate the humiliation of Bangladesh, Bangladeshi cricket, or Bangladeshi cricketers. The days of subservience are over", he said.
