NEW DELHI: The three-time IPL winners, Kolkata Knight Riders, have issued a statement after being asked by the BCCI to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of IPL 2026.
Pressure on the BCCI had been building over Mustafizur Rahman's participation following the recent killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh and India's public concern over the safety of minorities.
BCCI asks KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman amid controversy over Bangladesh violence
The controversy also drew attention to KKR co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, with some leaders from the ruling BJP questioning the franchise's decision to include the Bangladeshi pacer under the current circumstances.
In a statement, the franchise said it acted on the instruction from the BCCI.
"Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India," said KKR.
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KKR had acquired the services of the 30-year-old left-armer for Rs 9.20 crore from a base price of Rs 2 crore after an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at the players' auction last month.
Rahman has featured in eight IPL editions since 2016, missing the tournament only in 2019 and 2020.
He has played for teams such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The upcoming edition was going to be his first for three-time IPL winners KKR.
