‘Totally shocked’: Ex-Bangladesh captains voice concern over Mustafizur’s IPL exclusion

Former Bangladesh captains Khaled Mahmud Sujon and Mohammad Ashraful have reacted strongly to Mustafizur Rahman's removal from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, stressing that cricket should remain separate from politics and warning of wider implications if the situation is mishandled.

Sujon said that any disorder arising from the issue would ultimately hurt Bangladesh itself.

"If things turn chaotic after this, then the damage will be ours, the damage will be to our country, won't it?" he told reporters in Sylhet, adding that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the government should consider formally approaching the ICC over the matter.

In that context, Sujon suggested an alternative solution, saying Bangladesh's matches at major tournaments could be moved away from India if necessary.

"In that case, if all our matches at the (upcoming T20) World Cup can be held somewhere else instead of India, that could be a solution, I think," he said.

'CRICKET SHOULD ONLY REMAIN CRICKET'

Ashraful said he was asked by Indian journalists how he felt after hearing the news and whether he was shocked. "Definitely, I felt that cricket and politics should not be mixed at all," he said. "I told them that I was totally shocked."

The former captain said Mustafizur had finally received what he deserved from the IPL through KKR's bid of 9.2 crore -- making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in the league's history. The Fizz remains the only overseas player to have won the Emerging Player Award in IPL when the wily left-arm quick dazzled in Sunrisers Hyderabad colours in his debut IPL season in 2016.  

"This was the first time Mustafizur got what he truly deserved from the IPL. Kolkata bid for him. So, when you hear that he won't be able to play, it feels bad," Ashraful said. "And I think it's something that upsets 18 crore people."

Ashraful added that the issue should never have reached this point and reiterated that cricket should remain confined to the field.

"This matter should not have gone this far. Cricket should only remain cricket," he said. He expressed hope that the governments and cricket boards of both countries would resolve the situation through discussion.

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Speaking about Bangladesh's strong IPL following, Ashraful said the issue could have a direct impact on fans.

"I also spoke about that. Look, the IPL has a huge following in Bangladesh. When something like this happens, they will be deprived of watching IPL matches," he said.

He pointed out that Bangladeshi players have long helped build a fanbase for both the IPL and KKR.

"First Mashrafe [Bin Mortaza] played for Kolkata, then Liton [Das] played, and Shakib Al Hasan had played for a long time, and now Mustafizur," Ashraful said.

"So, there was a fanbase for the IPL and Kolkata Knight Riders. In that situation, if incidents like this keep happening, Bangladeshi people may even boycott the IPL."

On the issue of playing major tournaments in India, Ashraful said such decisions are ultimately taken collectively by cricket boards.

"That's exactly what I said -- this is something the cricket boards will decide together," he said. "Personally, I believe teams should tour all countries."

He cited Bangladesh's return to touring Pakistan as an example. "For nearly eight-nine-ten years, there were no tours to Pakistan. Now tours are happening again," Ashraful said.

"Those who play should go to all countries, and I believe the country hosting the matches is responsible for providing security."