- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sat, 03 Jan 2026 09:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- KKR released Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026 squad.
- BCCI directed release due to diplomatic tensions.
- Bangladesh Cricket Board called emergency meeting.
The Kolkata Knight Riders parted ways with Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, releasing him from their squad for the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League season.
This move follows a formal directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which guided the franchise to sever ties with the left-arm pacer amid heightening diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Mustafizur Rahman accepted the decision with stoic resignation, telling BDcrictime, "What else can you do if you are dropped?"
KKR had signed the 30-year-old left-armer for Rs 9.20 crore from a base price of Rs 2 crore after an extreme bidding war with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the players' auction last month.
The BCCI said KKR will be permitted to name a replacement player if needed for the event scheduled to start on March 26.
Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that the board has instructed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, citing "recent developments".
"The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for a replacement if needed. And upon request, BCCI will allow a replacement player. Because of recent developments all across," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI here on Saturday.
Knight Riders complied with BCCI's directive and stated in the release, "Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season."
"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India," KKR said in a statement.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul has called an emergency meeting in Sylhet to discuss Mustafizur Rahman's IPL release.
"...we have arranged to call an emergency meeting at 9:30pm (10pm IST) to know about the matter in detail. Then, we will get a clear overview and may issue a media release...we don't have the full information. That's why we have called the emergency meeting," Bulbul said.
The tension had been escalating on the BCCI over Rahman's participation after the recent killing of a Hindu man in the country and India's expression of concern for the safety of minorities there.
(With PTI Inputs)