Says govt assessing procedures following Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion

The uproar over Mustafizur Rahman’s shock removal from the IPL by the BCCI on Saturday is far from over, with calls from Bangladesh to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on February 7, only getting louder.

Amid the growing demands to shift Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup after Mustafizur Rahman’s shock IPL release, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the 15-man Bangladesh squad for the mega event, set to begin on February 7.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owned by Shah Rukh Khan, to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the upcoming season, citing “recent developments.”

Speaking to The Daily Star’s sports reporter Ekush Tapader, the former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director warned that politics and unclear processes are widening the gap between Bangladesh and India, urging cricket authorities to act decisively.

Bangladesh Under-19 skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim believes his side’s prior experience in Zimbabwe will give them an edge in the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup as he sets his sights on lifting the trophy.

The development overshadowed a scheduled rest day in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20.

Law and Sports Adviser of the interim government, Dr Asif Nazrul, has strongly protested the directive to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on political grounds.

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director, who attended an emergency board meeting last night, told The Daily Star that the board will be sending an email to the ICC and the IPL governing body regarding the issue.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed deep disappointment over Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Indian Premier League but believes there is no immediate option to seek a change of venue for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

How much will Bangladesh ace pacer Mustafizur Rahman earn after being removed from the Indian Premier League?

Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain continues to grow in stature for the Hobart Hurricanes in the ongoing Big Bash League.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah have not been named in the 15-man squad for the 50-over matches at home on January 11, 14 and 18.

This will be the fourth consecutive appearance for the African nation in the tournament.

Ashraful said the issue should never have reached this point and reiterated that cricket should remain confined to the field.

Indian politician and current Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor called out the BCCI for ‘deplorably’ forcing Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for IPL 2026, doubling down on his belief that politics should not be dragged into sports.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) heeded to the mounting pressure from politicians and religious groups in the country and instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has told Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), report several Indian media.

Former Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad bounced back from criticism over failure to score one off the final ball in the previous match with a match-winning 34 not out off 16 balls for the Rangpur Riders against Sylhet Titans in their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match in Sylhet on Friday.

Captain Ben Stokes on Saturday called the fifth and final Test against Australia a "huge game" for England and vowed there would be no coasting at the end of a long and draining Ashes tour.