The ripples of the Mustafizur Rahman exclusion continue to be felt across the cricketing landscape, three months after the Bangladesh seamer was barred from joining Kolkata Knight Riders. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal recently addressed the situation, marking his first public comments on a controversy that saw a record-breaking contract dissolved due to geopolitical friction. It also aggravated Bangladeshโs decision to opt out of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Notably, Mustafizur had secured a cracking deal in December when KKR secured his services for a staggering Rs 9.20 crore. The deal established him as the most expensive player ever from Bangladesh in the league’s history. However, a BCCI directive eventually forced the franchise to release him. Reflecting upon that Dhumal expressed regret over the left-arm pacer’s absence from the 2026 season.
โI would only say it was unfortunate. Beyond that, I do not have much knowledge. It is unfortunate, I would say, the way things unfold at times. I do not think the government has any interest or any role to play in running cricket day to day. The government is supportive of cricket at large. But, yes, sometimes events happen around us and decisions follow. I am sure good sense will prevail and that this will not be the case going forward,โ Dhumal told the Financial Times.
Mustafizur signed for PSL side Lahore Qalandars
The fallout from the decision was swift and severe. The Bangladesh Cricket Board reacted by boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup after the ICC refused their demand to move their matches out of India. This withdrawal led to Scotland replacing Bangladesh in the global tournament.
While he was blocked from the IPL, Mustafizur found a home in the Pakistan Super League with Lahore Qalandars. Despite the significant pay cut, joining for roughly INR 2 crore, he has maintained elite form. In his first two PSL outings, he maintained a restrictive economy rate of 4.87 while taking two wickets. His international form remains equally sharp, evidenced by a five-wicket haul across a three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which included a standout three-wicket performance.
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