Mustafizur controversy: Big loss for Bangladesh cricket not playing in India

NEW DELHI: Mustafizur Rahman’s merchandise by Kolkata Knight Riders from the IPL, pursuing directives issued by the BCCI, sparked wide statement and disapproval successful Bangladesh. In the latest developments, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) connected Sunday announced that the nationalist squad volition not question to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The Bangladesh authorities besides ordered a suspension of each IPL broadcasts and telecasts successful the country.Mustafizur, who antecedently represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, has taken 65 wickets successful 60 IPL matches. KKR bought him for a hefty Rs 9.2 crore astatine the IPL 2026 auction, making him the lone Bangladesh cricketer to unafraid a declaration this season.

However, the BCCI issued a directive that led to his release.

Former Bangladesh batter Rajin Saleh believes the determination volition beryllium to beryllium a large setback for Bangladesh cricket, particularly fixed the beardown cricketing narration the state has shared with the Indian board."Previously, galore Bangladesh players similar Mushfiqur, Taskin and Shakib played successful the IPL. But this time, nary Bangladesh subordinate volition play. It’s a large setback for Bangladesh cricket.

Definitely, for Bangladesh, it’s a immense loss," Saleh told TimesofIndia.com successful an exclusive interview."Politics should beryllium kept speech and cricket should beryllium played. We shouldn’t bash it immoderate different way. The crushed whitethorn beryllium different, but cricket is separate. Cricket should beryllium played. Look, successful India determination are Hindus and Muslims — successful fact, determination are galore Muslims. In Bangladesh, determination are galore Hindus too. My closest friends are Hindu arsenic well.

I person 2 friends, Shimmer and Tushar, and I ever speech to them. Politics should stay abstracted from cricket.

This concern is sad. Why does cricket get involved? Cricket should enactment separate," said Saleh, who played 24 Tests and 43 ODIs betwixt 2003 and 2008.

SECURITY CONCERNS FOR BANGLADESH TEAMBilateral relations betwixt the 2 countries person remained strained since the wide uprising successful Bangladesh successful 2024 that led to the removal of past Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Citing information concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has decided not to nonstop its squad to India for the T20 World Cup. The BCB said the determination was taken “to safeguard the information and well-being of Bangladeshi players, squad officials and committee members.”

"Security is the main concern. If bully information is provided to Mustafizur and the Bangladesh team, wherefore not go? Definitely, they volition go. How volition the 25 players play successful the World Cup? How volition information beryllium provided? If affirmative signals are given, wherefore not? But determination has been nary connection yet," Saleh said."The contented is that due information cannot beryllium provided. We stock a bully relationship with India. Bangladesh are preparing for the World Cup and practising. The committee has taken a determination regarding India, and we are really sad. We are wounded by this quality and these developments. India are precise important to us. Bangladesh person gained a batch from India. We person learnt a batch from India," helium added.

'BANGLADESH WILL BEAT INDIA'The T20 World Cup volition statesman connected February 7, with defending champions India acceptable to look the USA successful the opening lucifer successful Mumbai.

The 20-team tourney volition beryllium co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka implicit 29 days crossed 8 venues — 5 successful India and 3 successful Sri Lanka.A full of 40 group-stage matches volition beryllium played betwixt February 7 and February 20, aft which the apical 2 teams from each radical volition beforehand to the Super Eights, starting connected February 21. The apical 4 sides astatine the extremity of the Super Eights volition suffice for the knockout stages.In Group A, India are drawn alongside the USA, Pakistan, Netherlands and Namibia, and volition instrumentality connected arch-rivals Pakistan successful Colombo connected February 15.

Group B features Sri Lanka, 2021 champions Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman. Group C includes two-time champions England and West Indies, first-timers Italy, and Asian sides Bangladesh and Nepal. Group D comprises New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and the UAE.If India and Bangladesh were to conscionable successful the Super Eights, Saleh believes Bangladesh would look victorious, with Mustafizur playing the relation of wrecker-in-chief successful his team’s win."Mustafizur volition bash well. I americium confident. He is simply a bully subordinate and has been performing well. The IPL and satellite cricket volition spot him bash well. If helium plays against India, helium should execute adjacent better. Bangladesh should purpose to bushed India. I americium definite Bangladesh volition bushed India if they conscionable successful the Super Eights," Saleh signed off.