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The Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) instructions.
The tensions between both India and Bangladesh have flared since Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s, the former prime minister, ouster in a student-led revolution in 2024.
Following the uprising, Hasina Wajid fled to India and is currently residing there.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia linked the decision to the regional tensions between India and Bangladesh.
“Due to recent developments going on all across, the BCCI has instructed the franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad,” Saikia told Indian news agency ANI.
“If they [KKR] ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saikia did not provide further reasons for the motive behind the move.
Mustafizur, 30, has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in previous seasons of the IPL, taking 65 wickets in 60 matches.
He was signed by Kolkata in last month’s auction for a fee of 92 million Indian rupees ($1.02 million), making him the most expensive player from Bangladesh in IPL history.
The 19th edition of the IPL begins on March 26, after India and Sri Lanka co-host the Twenty20 World Cup starting in February.
