Former Bangladesh captain and current batting coach Mohammad Ashraful has stated that pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman remains completely unfazed by the controversy surrounding his abrupt release from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The left-arm pacer was let go by the franchise following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a move that occurred amidst heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Focus Firmly on BPL, Says Assistant Coach
Speaking in his capacity as the assistant coach for the Rangpur Riders in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Ashraful provided insights into Mustafizur's mindset. He revealed that the cricketer has shown no signs of distraction from the off-field drama and is fully committed to his current domestic assignment.
"He is completely chill. He is not worried at all about all the off-field talk – whether it’s BCB, India, BPL or ICC," Ashraful told reporters after Rangpur Riders' match against Chattogram Challengers. Emphasising the player's professionalism, Ashraful, who also serves as Bangladesh's national batting coach, added that Mustafizur's immediate focus is on performing for Rangpur before considering future commitments.
World-Class Performer in T20 Format
While assessing Mustafizur's BPL performances, Ashraful acknowledged a slow start but was quick to highlight the bowler's decisive role in a recent victory. "If you talk about Mustafizur in the first two matches, his performances were a bit below par, but especially the way we won the last match against Dhaka was an outstanding victory," Ashraful said.
He reserved high praise for the pacer's closing overs in that match, stating, "And the way Mustafizur bowled those last two overs – I think he is a world champion for this format, that’s how important he is." Ashraful concluded by calling Mustafizur a "person of a different level" in terms of temperament and skill.
BCB's Stance: Security Concerns Prompt World Cup Request
In a significant development following the BCCI's decision, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) convened an emergency meeting on Sunday. The board later confirmed that it has formally approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a major request concerning the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Citing safety and security concerns for its team and fans, the BCB has asked the global governing body to relocate all of Bangladesh's scheduled matches to venues outside of India. The tournament is slated to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
This request, if considered, could complicate the tournament's logistics. As per the current schedule:
- Bangladesh is set to face the West Indies on February 7.
- They play Italy on February 9.
- A high-profile clash against England is scheduled for February 14.
All these three matches are currently slated for the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Additionally, their match against Nepal on February 17 is scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The BCB's firm stance underscores the escalating cricketing and diplomatic ramifications of the initial IPL release directive.
