The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to direct Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad has sparked strong criticism from a senior former board official, who labelled the move “illogical” and poorly timed with a major International Cricket Council (ICC) event approaching.
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Speaking to IANS on condition of anonymity, the former official warned that the decision could create complications ahead of India’s upcoming international commitments. He stressed that Bangladesh should not be treated on par with Pakistan and questioned the rationale behind the directive.
“I just don’t understand what kind of decision this was. Bangladesh is not the same as Pakistan. You cannot place them in the same bracket. They are not an enemy nation. If the policy is to treat them like Pakistan, then ban them completely,” the former official said.
He further pointed out the awkward timing of the move, noting that India is set to host Bangladesh in a major ICC tournament next month. “Next month is the World Cup, and India is scheduled to host Bangladesh. How will this be justified? What happened in Bangladesh was wrong, but those were acts by mobs. Such elements exist everywhere,” he added.
The comments come after the BCCI instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, a directive the franchise subsequently followed.
In an official statement, KKR confirmed the development:
“Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI or IPL, as the regulator of the IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The release has been carried out following due process and consultations. BCCI will allow KKR a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.”
Earlier on Saturday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board had asked the three-time IPL champions to part ways with the Bangladesh pacer and permitted them to sign a replacement.
The decision reportedly followed concerns raised after incidents of violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh in December, along with criticism from certain quarters over Rahman’s participation in the IPL.
Mustafizur, one of Bangladesh’s most experienced white-ball bowlers, was expected to play a crucial role for KKR in the upcoming season. He was signed by the franchise for ₹9.20 crore at the December mini-auction, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history.
