Kolkata Knight Riders may face a brief period of uncertainty over the availability of their high-profile overseas signing Mustafizur Rahman during the Indian
Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, owing to potential international commitments with Bangladesh.
According to reports emerging from Bangladesh as per News18, the left-arm fast bowler could miss a short window of the tournament between April 16 and April 23. This timeframe is likely to clash with Bangladesh's proposed home series against New Zealand, which is expected to feature a mix of ODI and T20I matches.
While the official schedule for the series is yet to be finalised, discussions within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have already raised questions about player availability during the IPL.
The IPL 2026 season is slated to run from late March until the end of May, leaving room for overseas players to balance franchise and international duties. In Mustafizur's case, there is optimism that he will miss only a limited number of matches, if any. The BCB is reportedly exploring the option of granting him a conditional No-Objection Certificate (NOC). Under this arrangement, Mustafizur could be allowed to skip the ODI leg of the New Zealand series while remaining available for the T20Is, enabling a swift return to India and minimal disruption to KKR's campaign.
KKR invested heavily in Mustafizur at the IPL 2026 auction, securing him for Rs 9.20 crore - the highest amount ever paid for a Bangladeshi cricketer at an IPL auction. His acquisition marked another chapter in the franchise's association with Bangladesh players, following Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Litton Das.
Notably, Mustafizur was the only Bangladeshi player to attract a bid this year, underlining his value as a proven T20 performer. Entering the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, he triggered a fierce bidding battle involving Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, both former employers. The contest intensified once KKR joined, eventually pushing the price beyond Rs 9 crore before the Knight Riders emerged victorious.
Since making his IPL debut in 2016, Mustafizur has represented five franchises and taken 65 wickets in 60 matches. Known for his deceptive cutters and death-over expertise, he remains a sought-after option in pressure situations. If available for most of the season, KKR will hope his experience significantly strengthens their bowling unit in IPL 2026.
