KKR break Silence after BCCI instruction to release Mustafizur Rahman; Bangladesh pacer's Fate Sealed!

Kolkata Knight Riders have broken their silence after an instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

KKR bought the Bangladeshi pacer for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini auction, but the recent worsening relationship between India and Bangladesh caused widespread calls for removal of Bangladesh's sole representative in the IPL, and BCCI has obliged to that.

And amid the BCCI instruction, the franchise has responded, confirming that Mustafizur has been released.

"Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The release has been

carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course," a statement from KKR read.

Mustafizur Rahman has been part of the widespread controversy without any wrongdoing of his own. The geopolitical tension between the two countries have prompted BCCI to take a call, as the three-time IPL champions will have to think of life without the Bangladeshi pacer.

The 30-year-old pacer has been part of the IPL since 2016, only missing in 2019 and 2020. He started his IPL journey with Sunrisers Hyderabad and won the IPL title in his very first season. Over the years, Mustafizur has played 60 IPL matches, claiming 65 wickets in them, representing SRH, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.