release of Mustafizur Rahman Ahead of IPL 2026, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team has been embroiled in a major administrative row between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Great Britain. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Mustafizur, who was bought by KKR for ₹9.2 crore in a mini-auction, was officially released on January 2 as directed by the BCCI. The decision cited “recent developments” amid rising political tensions and incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, raising broader concerns about player safety and diplomatic sensitivities.
BCCI confirms directive behind Mustafizur’s withdrawal from IPL
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that franchises have been instructed to release the Bangladesh pacer, revealing that KKR will be allowed to sign a replacement. He also said that so far BCCI has not received any official information from the Indian government regarding restrictions on foreign players.
Despite this clarification, the move was seen in Bangladesh as a signal that Bangladeshi cricketers could face uncertainty playing in India – a comment that took the issue beyond the IPL.
Bangladesh drives the action of T20 World Cup matches
In response, the Bangladesh Sports Ministry intervened. Councilor Asif Nazrul instructed the BCB to make an official appeal to the International Cricket Council with the request to move Bangladesh’s Group A matches. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 From India to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh will face England, Italy, Nepal and West Indies in the group stage.
Writing in Bengali on Facebook, Nazrul said that if a Bangladeshi player cannot play in India under contract, then the national team cannot be assured of security when they travel there. He added that the matter should be formally documented and brought before the ICC and a clear demand should be made for Bangladesh’s games to be played in Sri Lanka instead.
BCCI denies possibility of venue change
The BCCI responded strongly and termed the proposed venue change impossible to host the tournament in less than a month. A top BCCI source rejected the request, citing the logistical complexities involved in changing the World Cup schedule at such a late stage.
Matchday logistics, including international travel, hotel bookings, broadcast arrangements and venue coordination, have already been finalised, the source said. With three matches scheduled on most days in India and Sri Lanka, the shifting of fixtures will disrupt the plans of not only Bangladesh but also many opposition teams and broadcasters.
“You can’t change games on someone’s whim and imagination. It’s a logistical nightmare. Think of the opposing teams. Their plane tickets, hotels are booked.” This was reported by NDTV citing a source in BCCI.
“Also there are three games each on all the days, which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is a broadcast team. So it will be easier said than done.” he added.
Tensions mount ahead of marquee ICC event
The dispute has cast an unexpected shadow over preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup, raising questions about how geopolitical issues intersect with global sporting events. While the BCCI has argued that Mustafizur’s IPL exemption does not automatically translate into national team security concerns, Bangladesh officials seem unconvinced.
With the ICC yet to respond publicly, the standoff puts the governing body in a delicate position. Any decision must balance logistical realities with diplomatic sensitivities while ensuring player safety and tournament integrity.
As things stand, Bangladesh’s games are scheduled in India and BCCI sources are confident that no changes will be made. However, the Mustafizur Rahman episode has already made the T20 World Cup 2026 closely watched both on and off the field.
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