Sakib says he will think again before putting his name up for IPL auction

Bangladesh pacer Tanzim Sakib has admitted that he may have to rethink the prospect of entering the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction next season following Kolkata Knight Riders' decision to release Mustafizur Rahman upon instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

KKR had signed Mustafizur after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at this year's IPL auction. The left-arm pacer was bought for Rs 9.20 crore, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history. However, according to Indian media reports, pressure had been mounting on the franchise from several right-wing political and religious groups, who raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.

Mustafizur's IPL snub also triggered a strong reaction back home, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stating in a press release that they are unwilling to travel to India for the World Cup under the current circumstances.

Tanzim, who had also entered the IPL auction like Mustafizur but remained unsold, suggested that the decision to drop the senior pacer may have been influenced by political factors.

"It's not clear why he [Mustafizur] was removed from the IPL. Maybe there could be political reasons," Tanzim said while addressing the issue in Sylhet on Tuesday.

"But it is better if politics stays out of cricket. As players, we don't think about the political side. We have a desire to play in the IPL and submit our names accordingly. Next year, we will consult agents and relevant people in the country before deciding whether to send our names or not," he added.