Cricket careers often take unexpected turns but few have been as dramatic as Mustafizur Rahman’s recent journey. The Bangladesh fast bowler has now found a new home in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), weeks after his sudden and controversial exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) shook the cricketing world.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Mustafizur Rahman will feature in the 2026 edition of the PSL, even though the official player draft is yet to be held. The league welcomed him with enthusiasm on social media, highlighting the threat he poses to batters and presenting his arrival as part of a new chapter for the tournament.
This move comes shortly after Kolkata Knight Riders picked Mustafizur Rahman for a hefty sum of Rs 9.2 crores at the IPL 2026 auction. At the time, it seemed like a routine signing, with the left-arm pacer expected to serve as a reliable overseas option. However, what followed was anything but ordinary.
Soon after the auction, the signing became entangled in political and religious tensions. Sections of political and religious groups publicly targeted the franchise and its co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, calling for Mustafizur Rahman’s removal and even issuing threats of boycott. The backlash was linked to growing anger in India following reports of violence against minority communities (Hindus) in Bangladesh, which spilled over into the cricketing space.
Under mounting pressure, the BCCI stepped in and instructed KKR to terminate Mustafizur Rahman’s contract in early January, citing recent developments without offering detailed clarification. The franchise complied, stating that it was following regulatory instructions, effectively ending the pacer’s IPL stint before it even began.
The reaction in Bangladesh was swift and strong. The Bangladesh Cricket Board approached the International Cricket Council, seeking changes to the venue arrangements for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India. Soon after, authorities in Bangladesh imposed an indefinite ban on IPL broadcasts.
Meanwhile, the PSL stands to benefit from the situation. Its 2026 season will run parallel to the IPL shortly after the T20 World Cup, creating opportunities to attract players seeking stability and game time. With Pakistani players already absent from the IPL for years due to political reasons, observers worry that Bangladeshi players could face similar long-term challenges if tensions persist.
The PSL player draft is scheduled for January 21. For Mustafizur Rahman, who last played in the league eight years ago with Lahore Qalandars, this marks not just a return but a chance to move forward after one of the most turbulent episodes of his career.
