Mustafizur Rahman will not be able to play in IPL; Removed from KKR team (file photo)
PTI, Guwahati. Amidst the continuous atrocities on Hindus in the neighboring country Bangladesh, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had bought Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman in the IPL auction for a huge amount of Rs 9.20 crore, which was facing continuous opposition in India.
Bowing to the voice of Indians, the Board of Control for Cricket in India directed IPL franchise KKR to drop the Bangladeshi player from its team. A few minutes later, Rahman was out of the world's biggest cricket league. Now Bangladesh Cricket Board may demand to shift its T-20 World Cup matches to be held in India and Sri Lanka out of India this year.
Last year, BCCI had postponed the tour of Bangladesh citing busy schedule. Bangladesh Cricket Board had announced on Friday that the Indian team will play a series of three ODI and three T20 matches in Bangladesh in September, but according to BCCI sources, if the relations between the two countries are not good then it is difficult for this tour to happen.
At the same time, Bangladesh Cricket Board hastily called an online meeting late at night but no statement was issued after the meeting. However, Dr Asif Nazrul, advisor to the Sports Ministry of the interim government of Bangladesh, has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board to write a letter to the ICC to shift its World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka.
KKR had bought the 30-year-old left-arm fast bowler for Rs 9.20 crore in the auction held last month. His base price in the auction was Rs 2 crore. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals also tried their best to buy Rahman.
BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia said on Saturday that in view of the recent developments we have asked KKR to release Rahman. If the franchise wishes, it can request for a replacement and the board will allow it.
KKR issued a statement saying that as per the instructions of BCCI as the regulator of IPL, the player has been released after all the procedures and consultation. In recent times, many Hindus have been killed in Bangladesh.
There were constant concerns being raised in the country regarding the safety of minorities, after which the pressure on BCCI increased. KKR co-owner and actor Shahrukh Khan was also being continuously cornered on this issue. He was even called a traitor.