Will Mustafizur Rahman play in the current season of the Indian Premier League? The inquiry is pertinent since, on Wednesday, May 14, the Bangladeshi pacer, who had been selected by the Delhi Capitals to replace Jake Fraser-McGurk for the rest of the competition, flew to Dubai to play in the two-match T20I series against the United Arab Emirates.
After border tensions between India and Pakistan forced their respective boards to postpone the IPL and Pakistan Super League (PSL), Cricbuzz has learned that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is apparently attempting to evaluate the scenario around the subcontinent. Although the BCB is aware that they should make a sensible choice in this matter, they also want to prevent any awkward situations with their neighboring boards, the PCB and BCCI.
Since giving the fast bowler a NOC may place the Board in a difficult situation with regard to two other players, the Mustafizur debate gathered traction in BCB circles. Along with Mustafizur, Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, who previously played in the PSL, are included in the Bangladesh T20I team for the UAE visit. As a result, the BCB would have to offer Rishad and Rana the same NOC if the left-arm pacer was given one.
“We are not saying that we won’t let Mustafizur play in the IPL for the Delhi Capitals but at the same time, there is a thing called national commitment and he needs to fulfil that,” a BCB director said on request of anonymity.
“Along with that, if we had released him in that case, what would we have done with the two cricketers who took part in PSL, as they could have asked why we were not releasing them?” he added.
“We don’t want to be in a position that allows any Board to point a finger at us,” he said.
Although it is known that Mustafizur may be freed following the two-match series against the United Arab Emirates, a different source maintained that the pacer might also be released following the first match against the United Arab Emirates in order to be available for the Delhi Capitals’ May 18 encounter against the Gujarat Titans in Delhi.
In the second scenario, Mustafizur would represent the franchise in three group-stage matches; but, if DC advances to the tournament’s knockout stages, the number of matches might rise.
The 29-year-old’s three-match campaign ends on May 24, so if they ultimately opt to play the series against Pakistan, which is set to begin on May 27, he will return and join the team.
The Delhi Capitals, who also have Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan, will have Mustafizur as their third left-arm pace option. When the season starts on May 17, DC will still be vying for a position in the IPL 2025 playoffs.
With 13 points from 11 games, they are now in fifth place, just one point behind MI, who are in fourth place and have played one more game. DC faces fellow top-four contenders GT, MI, and PBKS in their final three games.
According to sources, Mustafizur was just told he had been selected by the Delhi Capitals on Wednesday since the decision to sign him was taken quickly, even before he had a chance to formally ask the BCB for a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Following the PCB’s submission of a suggested itinerary, BCB is currently awaiting government instructions on their tour of Pakistan. The rescheduling of the PSL upset their original strategy.
Holding the series could still be difficult, even if the government gives the BCB the all-clear on the rules for the Pakistan tour. As of right now, the Board is also anticipated to hold in-depth talks with the players and support personnel, many of whom have voiced concerns about going on tour in Pakistan.
