Controversy Over Mustafizur Rahman & KKR Draws Mohammad Kaif’s Response: 'Decision Is...'

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has said that while it would be wrong for him to comment on the issue of Mustafizur Rahman playing in IPL 2026, having been in Dubai for the past two to three weeks, the BCCI knows how to handle such situations.

Mustafizur was snapped up by three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the mini-auction for Rs 9.2 crore. However, recent tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated after the killing of a Hindu man.

Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges. Days later, another Hindu youth was lynched in Hosendanga village of Kalimohor Union, Rajbari’s Pangsha sub-district, raising serious concerns about

the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.

“I don’t have much knowledge of the issue. I have been here in Dubai for the past 2-3 weeks. What will be the decision? Everything comes under the BCCI; the decision is in their hands,” Kaif said while speaking to The Times of India.

“I will not sit here and share an opinion because it is a sensitive issue. You should play a waiting game because what is happening, what will be the movement, we may write, but in reality, there is no movement there,” Kaif added.

Multiple political figures in India are now blaming KKR and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for overlooking the nation’s sentiments by picking Mustafizur Rahman in the mini-auction.

However, Shah Rukh wasn’t present at the Abu Dhabi proceedings; the winning bid was placed by head coach Abhishek Nayar and CEO Venky Mysore. KKR had faced stiff competition from five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, but bagged Rahman’s services.

“So I think we should not just jump the gun. We should just wait and watch, whatever the decision will be, BCCI are sitting there, they run big leagues, they know what to do and how to do it,” Kaif said.