Mustafizur Rahman breaks silence after BCCI removes Bangladesh pacer from KKR's IPL 2026 squad; ‘If they release me…'

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman broke his silence after being removed from the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating there's nothing he can do. The removal of Mustafizur from IPL 2026 came after BCCI's directive on Saturday following the recent political storm between the two countries.

One of the two consistent Bangladeshi performers in IPL after Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹9.20 crores at the recent mini-auction in Abu Dhabi last month. “If they release me, there’s nothing much I can do,” Mustafizur was quoted as saying to Bangladesh news outlet BDCrictime.

Mustafizur, who is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Rangpur Riders, was left disappointed after hearing about his release. Not just Mustafizur, the entire Bangladesh cricketing community upon hearing the development.

The removal of Mustafizur came amid the ongoing political turmoil between the two countries. In recent times, several Hindus have been killed in Bangladesh, leading to Indo-Bangla relations turning sour. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan wasn't barred as several political leaders called the Bollywood superstar a "traitor".

Will Bangladesh travel to India for T20 World Cup?

The removal of Mustafizur will have an impact of Bangladesh's T20 World Cup participation in India next month. Bangladesh have been put in Group C along with Italy, Nepal, West Indies and England. They are scheduled to play three of their four group stage games at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and one at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium.

According to Asif Nazrul, Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, they have advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the matter. Notably, the ICC chairman is a former BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

Condemning the move in his Facebook post, Nazrul stated that if Mustafizur isn't allowed to play in India, then Bangladesh can't consider it is safe for the entire Bangladesh contingent to travel to India for the global event. In fact, Mustafizur was the only Bangladesh cricketer to be picked by any franchise in IPL 2026.

No IPL telecast in Bangladesh

Nazrul also stated Bangladesh will suspend the telecast of IPL in the country as a protest. “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.