Release of Mustafizur Rahman raises question marks over future of Bangladeshi players

New Delhi, Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed that they have acted on the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, whom they had bought recently in the auction in Abu Dhabi for 9.2 crore rupees. The franchise said in a statement, "Kolkata Knight Riders confirm that the BCCI/IPL has directed it, as the regulator of the IPL, to release Mustafizur Rahman from the team ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season." This release, clearly, was made after a proper process, particularly after consultation with the regulator - the BCCI and the IPL.

Although it is understood that the incidents against minorities in the neighboring country and the anti-Bangladesh environment in the country are the reasons, the franchise could not act on its own, as it involves legal matters. If the franchise had released him on its own, the player would have had the right to take legal action. The franchise said in a statement, "This release has been made on the direction of the BCCI, following due process and deliberation. The BCCI, as per IPL rules, will allow Kolkata Knight Riders to bring in an alternate player, and further details will be provided in due course."

It was always the BCCI's responsibility to guide the franchise to take the first step. In buying Mustafizur, the franchise had actually acted on the BCCI's instructions, which had registered him for the auction. There were a total of seven Bangladeshi players in the auction, and it is a separate matter that no other player was picked. In fact, there was intense bidding for Mustafizur, with two other franchises competing along with the Chennai Super Kings. Delhi Capitals started the bidding at 2.2 crore rupees and went up to 5.2 crore rupees, after which the Knight Riders entered the fray. The Super Kings took the bidding up to 9 crore rupees, but the Knight Riders finally bought him for 9.2 crore rupees.

Mustafizur has previously played for the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals. An IPL senior official said that the franchise could not have done it on its own, and said, "It was the BCCI's decision and the franchise could not have taken the decision on its own. The franchise and the player are bound by certain contracts that they cannot get out of. The IPL rules prevent any kind of arbitrariness."

The situation became clear after the announcement by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. He referred to "recent events", which he did not elaborate on, and said that "...the BCCI has directed the Knight Riders franchise to release one of its players, Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman, from their team and the BCCI has also said that if they demand an alternate player, the BCCI will allow it."

However, the "recent events" have driven Bangladeshi players away to a great extent, just like Pakistani players have been since 2008. Not just in the IPL, but franchises, many of whom are owners of teams in foreign leagues as well, have been shying away from picking Pakistani players. The same could happen to Bangladeshi players, who occasionally play for Indian-owned teams in various leagues.