Mustafizur Rahman Remains Unfazed Amid IPL Release and Tensions
Mustafizur Rahman's Focus Amid Controversy
Bangladesh's seasoned fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, appears to be completely unaffected by the ongoing discussions off the field. Despite being released by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, his performance and mental state remain intact, as confirmed by former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, who is currently serving as an assistant coach for the Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Reports indicate that the Kolkata Knight Riders removed Mustafizur from their squad following directives from the BCCI amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh. In response to this situation, Ashraful stated that Mustafizur is calm and not swayed by external chatter. He emphasized that the bowler is unconcerned about matters related to the BCB, India, the BPL, or the ICC.
During a press interaction after a match against Chattogram Royals, Ashraful highlighted that Mustafizur's primary focus is on performing for the Rangpur Riders. He mentioned that whatever assignment comes next, Mustafizur will concentrate on that, given his caliber as a player.
Reflecting on Mustafizur's performance in the BPL so far, Ashraful acknowledged that he did not meet expectations in the first two matches. However, he played a crucial role in the recent game against Dhaka. According to Ashraful, Mustafizur's bowling in the final two overs was pivotal, marking a turning point in the match, and his significance in this format is comparable to that of a world-class player.
Meanwhile, following Mustafizur's release from KKR, the Bangladesh Cricket Board convened an emergency meeting on Sunday. Post-meeting, the BCB formally reached out to the International Cricket Council, requesting that all of Bangladesh's matches in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup be held outside India due to security concerns.
It is noteworthy that the 2026 T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, scheduled from February 7 to March 8. According to the current schedule, Bangladesh is set to play against the West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on February 14, followed by a match against Nepal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on February 17. The BCB's request could potentially impact the tournament's schedule.