Mustafizur’s IPL exit sparks outrage in Bangladesh; Farooki responds

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owned by Shah Rukh Khan, to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the upcoming season, citing "recent developments."

BCCI Secretary Debjit Saikia confirmed the decision, adding that KKR has been permitted to sign a replacement in line with IPL rules. The franchise later issued a statement confirming Mustafizur's release following due process and consultations with the board.

Bought for Rs 9.2 crore at the most recent IPL auction, the upcoming season was set to be Mustafizur's sixth in the tournament. Over eight IPL seasons, the left-arm pacer has taken 65 wickets while representing five different franchises.

The decision has left Bangladeshi cricket fans shocked, with many urging the relevant authorities to impose a ban on the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh. Responding to the growing public reaction, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki addressed the issue in a post on his social media handle.

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"What happened to Mustafizur in the IPL is disgraceful. In this incident, citizens of Bangladesh have witnessed politics of hatred and have been deeply hurt," Farooki wrote. He also noted that Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had recently expressed concern over the persecution of minority communities in India, adding that the relevant authorities should examine whether this incident was influenced by similar motives. He further stated that the safety of Bangladesh's cricket and football teams in India in the future would also need to be considered.

However, Farooki clarified that calls to ban IPL broadcasts fall outside his jurisdiction. 

"To those who are urging me—across all kinds of platforms in Bangladesh—to call for a ban on the broadcast of the IPL, my humble response is this: such a decision falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. I have conveyed your concerns on this matter to the Honourable Information Adviser," he said.