Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders after being instructed to do so by the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) amid heightening diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
KKR had acquired the services of the 30-year-old left-armer for Rs 9.20 crore (Rs 92 million) from a base price of Rs 2 crore (Rs 20 million) after an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at the players' auction last month.
The BCCI said KKR will be allowed to name a replacement player if required for the event scheduled to start on March 26.
"The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for replacement, if needed. And upon request, BCCI will allow a replacement player," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Saturday.
Asked why the BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to do so, he replied, "Because of recent developments all across."
In a statement, the franchise said it has released the player as instructed by the BCCI.
"Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India," KKR said in a statement.
The pressure had been mounting on the BCCI over Rahman's participation after recent killing of a Hindu man in the country and India's expression of concern for the safety of minorities there.
The criticism has also extended to KKR co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan with some politicians from the ruling BJP questioning the call to include the bowler in the current scenario.
Rahman has featured in eight IPL editions since 2016, missing the tournament only in 2019 and 2020.
He has played for teams such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The upcoming edition was going to be his first for three-time IPL winners KKR.
Neither him, nor the Bangladesh Cricket Board have reacted to the development yet.
Rahman was allowed to register for the auction by the Indian Board but the Indo-Bangladesh ties have grown more tense amid political unrest in that country.
With Rahman's ouster, it remains to be seen if Bangladeshi players would be excluded from the IPL the same way their Pakistani counterparts have been for the past several years owing to political tensions.
Bilateral cricket uncertain
India and Bangladesh cricket boards had postponed a white-ball bilateral series last year. The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday said the series will be played there in September this year.
However, the BCCI is non-committal on the schedule and is unlikely to agree to it given the volatile situation in Bangladesh.
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