The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release player Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL 2026 contract. Consequently, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) plans to request a change of venue for their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches in India, jointly hosted with Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh is set to play against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Due to concerns over player safety following demands related to incidents in Bangladesh, the BCB is apprehensive and seeks alternative venues for the matches.
A BCB official mentioned that the decision by BCCI has led them to consider approaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a venue change. Tensions between the two countries are escalating, prompting the BCB to prioritize player security during the upcoming tournament.
The BCCI’s decision to release Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders was influenced by the prevailing unrest in Bangladesh. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the directive, allowing KKR to select a replacement player in compliance with IPL regulations.
Kolkata Knight Riders, owned by Shah Rukh Khan, confirmed Mustafizur’s release and assured compliance with BCCI’s instructions. Mustafizur, a valuable player, was acquired at a significant price in the recent IPL auction, marking a notable investment in Bangladeshi cricket talent.
