Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, has strongly condemned the decision by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to exclude national fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. Reports indicate that the move was made under directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sparking widespread outrage among Bangladeshi cricket fans and prompting calls for decisive action to safeguard the nation’s cricketing interests.
Writing on his verified Facebook page, Nazrul stated:
“KKR, bowing to pressure from extremist communal groups, has removed Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman from the team under the instructions of the Indian cricket board. I strongly denounce and protest this decision.”
Beyond expressing outrage, Nazrul has urged the Bangladeshi authorities to consider suspending IPL broadcasts within the country. He added:
“I have requested the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to halt IPL telecasts in Bangladesh. Under no circumstances can we allow our cricket, our players, or our national honour to be disrespected. The era of subjugation is over.”
The decision by KKR has also raised concerns regarding the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India this February. Bangladesh is set to play three group-stage matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Nazrul emphasised that if contractual discrimination prevents Mustafizur from participating, the safety and security of the entire team could be compromised. Consequently, he has instructed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to formally request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate these fixtures to Sri Lanka.
Nazrul further clarified on social media:
“As the minister responsible for sports, I have directed the BCB to provide a written explanation to the ICC. If a Bangladeshi player cannot participate under contractual terms, the safety of the entire team cannot be assured. Therefore, a formal request to move the World Cup matches to Sri Lanka must be submitted.”
The key issues and proposals put forward by Nazrul are summarised below:
| Issue | Current Status | Asif Nazrul’s Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion | KKR, under BCCI instruction | Strong protest and denunciation |
| IPL broadcasting in Bangladesh | Currently ongoing | Call for suspension of telecasts |
| T20 World Cup matches | Scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai | Proposal to relocate to Sri Lanka |
| Bangladesh team security | Concerns exist | BCB instructed to write to ICC |
Through these measures, Asif Nazrul has emphasised that the dignity and honour of Bangladeshi cricket and its players must be upheld at all costs. His interventions aim to ensure that Bangladesh’s participation in international tournaments remains secure, free from any political or communal influence, and that players are treated fairly under all contractual and professional obligations.