Cricket
oi-Ashish Rana
Bangladesh
fast
bowler
Mustafizur
Rahman
has
finally
spoken
about
his
release
from
Kolkata
Knight
Riders
ahead
of
the
Indian
Premier
League
2026
season,
calling
it
a
situation
beyond
his
control.
Rahman
on
KKR
Exit
Ahead
of
the
2026
Indian
Premier
League,
Kolkata
Knight
Riders
released
Bangladeshi
fast
bowler
Mustafizur
Rahman
due
to
rising
political
tensions,
as
per
the
Board
of
Control
for
Cricket
in
India’s
directive;
despite
having
been
bought
for
Rs
9.20
crore,
Rahman
accepted
the
decision,
following
the
board’s
instruction
because
of
recent
developments,
and
also
recently
achieved
a
milestone
of
taking
400
wickets
in
T20
cricket.
The
decision
followed
a
directive
from
the
Board
of
Control
for
Cricket
in
India,
amid
rising
political
and
social
tensions
involving
Bangladesh.
The
30-year-old
left-arm
pacer,
who
had
been
bought
at
a
premium
price
in
the
recent
auction,
admitted
he
was
disappointed
but
accepted
the
development
as
part
of
professional
sport.
Mustafizur
reacts
to
sudden
release
Speaking
to
BDCricTime
after
the
announcement,
Mustafizur
addressed
the
issue
in
brief
but
clear
terms.
“If
they
release
me,
what
can
I
do?” he
said.
Reports
indicated
that
the
pacer
was
unhappy
with
the
decision,
especially
as
it
came
close
to
the
start
of
the
tournament.
His
exit
was
linked
to
mounting
pressure
on
both
the
BCCI
and
the
Kolkata-based
franchise
following
political
developments
in
Bangladesh.
Political
tensions
put
KKR
under
spotlight
The
controversy
intensified
after
the
killing
of
a
Hindu
man
in
Bangladesh,
which
led
to
protests
and
criticism
aimed
at
the
IPL
franchise.
KKR
co-owner
Shah
Rukh
Khan
was
also
targeted
by
several
groups
over
the
inclusion
of
a
Bangladeshi
player
in
the
squad.
With
the
issue
escalating,
the
BCCI
stepped
in
and
formally
instructed
KKR
to
part
ways
with
Mustafizur
ahead
of
the
season.
BCCI
explains
its
decision
BCCI
Secretary
Devajit
Saikia
confirmed
the
board’s
stand
and
outlined
the
reasoning
behind
the
move.
“After
observing
the
recent
development
in
Bangladesh,
BCCI
has
taken
a
decission
and
instructed
KKR
authorities
to
release
Bangladeshi
bowler
Mustafizur
Rahman
from
their
squad.
If
KKR
further
request
us
his
replecement,
BCCI
will
take
a
decission
and
allowing
the
replacement
of
Mustafizur
Rahman
in
terms
and
condition
of
the
IPL.”
He
added
that
the
situation
could
evolve
in
the
future.
“This
decision
was
taken
due
to
recent
development
in
Bangladesh
but
in
future
what
will
happen
can’t
say
right
now.
We
have
told
KKR
to
take
immediate
action
and
very
soon
they
will
do
the
announcement,” Saikia
said.
The
board
also
clarified
that
KKR
will
be
permitted
to
name
a
replacement
player
if
they
choose,
with
the
IPL
scheduled
to
begin
on
March
26.
Big
auction
buy,
historic
milestone
KKR
had
secured
Mustafizur’s
services
for
Rs
9.20
crore
after
an
intense
bidding
battle
with
Chennai
Super
Kings
and
Delhi
Capitals,
well
above
his
base
price
of
Rs
2
crore.
The
franchise
had
viewed
him
as
a
key
component
of
their
bowling
attack
for
the
upcoming
season.
Despite
the
setback,
the
Bangladesh
pacer
recently
achieved
a
major
career
milestone.
On
Friday,
Mustafizur
became
the
first
fast
bowler
from
Bangladesh
to
claim
400
or
more
wickets
in
T20
cricket,
underlining
his
continued
value
in
the
shortest
format.
