Mustafizur dropped from KKR squad on BCCI directive

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, the only Bangladeshi cricketer to secure a team in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), has been dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

KKR had signed Mustafizur for the ongoing IPL season. The left-arm fast bowler has been a regular feature in the league since 2016. However, the BCCI instructed the franchise to release him from the squad, according to local media reports.

Speculation over Mustafizur’s participation had been circulating for several days. Reports said a group of extremist political activists in India had issued threats, including damaging pitches, in protest against KKR’s decision to include the Bangladeshi cricketer. This created uncertainty over his involvement in the tournament.

On Saturday (January 3), BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision. Speaking to Indian news agency ANI in Guwahati, he said the BCCI had directed Kolkata Knight Riders to let Mustafizur Rahman go.