The relations between BCCI and BCB are currently pretty tense after the Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL team KKR due to the protests by majority of cricket fans.
Well, rumours of a dramatic return of Mustafizur Rahman were quick to spread but Bangladesh cricket authorities have firmly shut them down. Amid growing speculation about Mustafizur Rahman’s possible comeback to the Indian Premier League in 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has made it clear that such claims are simply not true.
The talk began after sections of the Bangladeshi media suggested that the Indian cricket board was considering bringing Mustafizur Rahman back into the IPL to ease rising tensions between the two countries. These reports surfaced soon after the left-arm pacer was left out of the league, a move that followed widespread protests in India linked to violence against minority communities (Hindus) in Bangladesh.
Earlier, the Indian board had asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman, a decision that did not sit well with Bangladesh cricket officials. The episode added strain to already delicate cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh, fuelling rumours that behind-the-scenes talks were underway to repair relations through the player’s return.
However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam Bulbul has dismissed all such claims, stating that there have been no discussions, formal or informal, with the Indian board about Mustafizur Rahman playing in the IPL again. He also clarified that no conversations on this topic had taken place within the Bangladesh board itself, calling the reports completely baseless.
As the situation unfolded, the focus shifted to a much bigger concern. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has sent another communication to the International Cricket Council, raising security worries about travelling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The board has repeated its request to move the tournament venue to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns.
The World Cup is set to begin on Saturday, February 7, with Bangladesh scheduled to play four matches, three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. However, following Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exit and what the board described as concerning developments, Bangladesh has chosen not to travel to India for now.
Officials close to the board have confirmed that the latest communication to the ICC followed consultations with government representatives. The ICC reportedly sought clarity on the specific security issues and the Bangladesh board responded by outlining its concerns, though exact details have not been made public.
For now, speculation around Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL future has been put to rest but the larger uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the World Cup remains. As tensions linger, cricket fans across the region are watching closely to see how the situation unfolds in the days ahead.
