Mohammad Nabi Reacts to Mustafizur Rahman's IPL Controversy
Nabi's Frustration Over Mustafizur's IPL Situation
Mohammad Nabi, the former captain of Afghanistan and seasoned all-rounder, expressed his frustration when questioned about the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman's release from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), set to commence in March.
Mustafizur Rahman was acquired by KKR for INR 9.2 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, making him the highest-paid Bangladeshi player. Notably, he was the sole Bangladeshi player selected by any franchise in the auction. However, KKR had to let go of the Bangladesh pacer due to directives from the BCCI, following significant backlash amid rising religious and political tensions between Bangladesh and India.
Since December 2025, Bangladesh has faced escalating civil unrest following the death of political leader Sharif Osman Hadi, which sparked nationwide protests and violence, particularly against minority communities. This turmoil has strained diplomatic and religious relations with India, leading to heightened scrutiny of KKR's decision to draft Mustafizur.
Nabi Declines to Discuss IPL Controversy
After Nakoli Express triumphed over Dhaka Capitals in a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match, Mohammad Nabi held a press conference with his son, Eisakhil. During this event, a reporter inquired about Mustafizur Rahman's IPL release.
Nabi reacted strongly, asserting that he had no connection to Mustafizur’s situation or the surrounding political issues, and he preferred not to engage in the controversy.
"What does this have to do with me? What is my connection to Mustafizur or the politics involved?" Nabi stated during the press conference.
"I recognize he is a talented bowler, but your line of questioning is unrelated to me," he added.
Mustafizur's Current Performance and Future Plans
Currently, Mustafizur Rahman is competing for Rangpur Riders in the ongoing BPL season, where he has taken 13 wickets with an average of 16.30 and an economy rate of 7.06 across eight matches. Following his unexpected exit from the IPL, he is set to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Super League, with the player auction scheduled for the end of January.
Throughout his IPL career, Mustafizur has played for several teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals, accumulating 65 wickets in 60 matches.
Bangladesh Cricket Board Requests Venue Change for T20 World Cup 2026
In light of KKR's decision to release Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested a change of venue for their group stage matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, proposing a shift from India to Sri Lanka. This prestigious tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring 20 teams competing for the championship.
The BCB has formally reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns and the safety of players following the release of Mustafizur. However, the ICC has reportedly denied this request, insisting that Bangladesh must play at the originally scheduled venues or face the risk of forfeiting their games.
Despite ongoing pressure from Bangladesh Cricket to move their T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India due to security and political issues, the ICC has yet to provide an official response, indicating that the matches will proceed in India as planned.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has urged the BCB to focus on the future and the interests of Bangladesh cricket, suggesting that the board should handle the sensitive matter internally rather than making public statements. However, Tamim's comments led to him being labeled an 'Indian agent' by a BCB official, provoking backlash from Bangladeshi players, including Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.