Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul has publicly criticised the Board of Control for Cricket India’s decision to instruct Kolkata Knight Riders to release fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League, arguing that the episode underlines why Bangladesh should not play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India.The intervention followed confirmation from Kolkata Knight Riders that Mustafizur had been removed from their squad after guidance from the Board of Control for Cricket India, a move that drew immediate attention given the left-arm pacer’s stature in international T20 cricket and his established reputation in franchise leagues. Mustafizur, who has been a regular presence in top-tier leagues, had been retained by KKR ahead of the season before the instruction was conveyed.
Speaking to local media, Asif Nazrul framed the decision as a matter extending beyond one player or one franchise, describing it as a reminder of the vulnerability of visiting players in competitions governed by another board. He said Bangladesh should strongly consider playing its scheduled T20 World Cup fixtures in Sri Lanka, one of the co-hosts of the tournament, rather than in India, citing fairness, neutrality and player security as key considerations.
The International Cricket Council awarded the 2026 T20 World Cup hosting rights jointly to India and Sri Lanka, with matches planned across venues in both countries. Under the current framework, participating teams may be assigned fixtures in either host nation depending on scheduling and logistics. Nazrul’s remarks add a political and administrative layer to what has largely been treated as an operational decision within the tournament structure.
Officials at the Bangladesh Cricket Board have not formally announced any request to alter fixture allocations, but Nazrul’s comments are significant because they come from a senior government adviser overseeing youth and sports. His remarks are likely to intensify discussions within Bangladesh’s cricket administration and could prompt diplomatic engagement with the ICC over match venues.
The Board of Control for Cricket India has not issued a detailed public explanation for the instruction that led to Mustafizur’s release. In past seasons, similar decisions affecting overseas players have been linked to scheduling conflicts with international commitments, workload management, or national team priorities. However, the absence of a clear statement in this instance has fuelled speculation and criticism.
Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed that the decision was not taken at the franchise’s discretion, emphasising that it complied with instructions from the league’s governing authority. KKR officials avoided further comment, reflecting the limited autonomy franchises have in matters involving board-level directives.
Mustafizur Rahman remains one of Bangladesh’s most valuable white-ball assets, known for his deceptive cutters and effectiveness at the death. His removal from the IPL deprives him of a high-profile competitive platform ahead of the T20 World Cup, though Bangladesh’s team management has previously prioritised national duty over franchise participation when calendars clash.
Cricket analysts note that tensions between national boards and franchise leagues have grown as T20 tournaments expand globally. The IPL’s financial power and influence over scheduling have often placed it at the centre of such debates, particularly when decisions affect players from boards with less leverage. Observers say the current controversy reflects broader structural imbalances within international cricket governance.
Nazrul’s call to shift Bangladesh’s World Cup matches to Sri Lanka also carries logistical and commercial implications. India is expected to host the bulk of high-revenue fixtures during the tournament, while Sri Lanka’s venues offer comparatively smaller markets but are seen by some teams as more neutral. Any request to alter allocations would require approval from the ICC and agreement among host boards.
Within Bangladesh, reactions to Nazrul’s remarks have been mixed. Some former players and commentators have backed his stance, arguing that Bangladesh should assert its interests more firmly on the global stage. Others caution that public criticism of another board could complicate relations ahead of a major tournament and potentially affect future bilateral engagements.