BCB President Stresses Cricket Ties with India Amid IPL Controversy

BCB's Stance on IPL Participation

On January 3, in Dhaka, Aminul Islam Bulbul, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), highlighted the importance of cricketing relations with India. This statement comes in response to a call from a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, who suggested that Mustafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi cricketer, should be barred from participating in the IPL due to concerns over violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

Bulbul emphasized that the BCB aims to approach this situation from a cricketing viewpoint rather than a political one. He stated, "We will keep a close watch on the situation until it concludes, as we are cricket enthusiasts. Our focus is on the sport, not politics."

Mustafizur Rahman was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the IPL 2026 season, with a price tag of Rs 9.20 crore during the auction held in December.

Anand Dubey, a spokesperson for Shiv Sena (UBT), has voiced opposition to the inclusion of Bangladeshi players in the IPL, asserting, "Bangladeshi players should not be allowed to compete on Indian soil. Both Pakistani and Bangladeshi players should face restrictions... Shah Rukh Khan must remove the Bangladeshi cricketer from his team immediately... If he fails to act despite the uproar, it will indicate that he does not respect the sentiments of this nation while profiting here."

In a phone conversation from Sylhet, Bulbul clarified that the IPL is a domestic event, distinct from ICC tournaments. He noted, "Currently, only Mustafizur Rahman represents Bangladesh in the Kolkata Knight Riders. We will observe the developments closely until the end. Our commitment to promoting cricket remains strong."

He further added, "India is our neighbor, and we share a robust cricketing relationship with them—a cooperative bond in the realm of cricket."

KKR made significant moves during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, securing marquee players like Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana, and Mustafizur Rahman, while also enhancing their squad with Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and returning players Tim Seifert and Rahul Tripathi.