B’desh not same as Pakistan: Ex-BCCI official on Mustafizur issue
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been at the center of controversy in recent days, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The decision has sparked a heated debate, with many questioning the fairness of the move. An ex-BCCI official has now weighed in on the issue, criticizing the directive and arguing that Bangladesh should not be treated in the same manner as Pakistan.
The controversy surrounds the recent incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, which have sparked outrage in India. However, the ex-BCCI official believes that this should not be a reason to target Bangladeshi cricketers, particularly Mustafizur Rahman, who has been an integral part of the KKR squad in the past. “Bangladesh is not the same as Pakistan,” the official said. “It’s not an enemy nation, and we should not treat it as such. What happened in Bangladesh was wrong, but those were mobs…such elements exist everywhere.”
The official’s comments come at a time when India is set to host Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament is expected to be a grand spectacle, with millions of fans from around the world tuning in to watch the best teams in the world compete. However, the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the KKR squad has cast a shadow over the tournament, with many questioning the fairness of the decision.
The ex-BCCI official’s criticism of the directive is not just about Mustafizur Rahman, but also about the broader implications of the decision. “If we start targeting cricketers from other countries based on the actions of a few individuals, where do we draw the line?” the official asked. “Will we start releasing players from other countries if there are incidents of violence or unrest in their home countries? It’s a slippery slope, and we need to be careful about the precedent we set.”
The official also pointed out that the BCCI’s decision is inconsistent with the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. “Cricket is a sport that brings people together, not drives them apart,” the official said. “We should be promoting friendship and cooperation between nations, not creating divisions and tensions. By releasing Mustafizur Rahman from the KKR squad, we are sending the wrong message to the world.”
The controversy has also sparked a debate about the role of politics in sports. While the BCCI has maintained that the decision to release Mustafizur Rahman is based on the current geopolitical situation, many believe that politics should not be allowed to interfere with the sport. “Cricket is a sport that transcends borders and politics,” the official said. “We should not allow political considerations to dictate our decisions on the field. The BCCI should focus on promoting the sport, not getting bogged down in politics.”
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the KKR squad has sparked a heated debate about the role of politics in sports and the fairness of the BCCI’s decision. While the incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh are condemnable, the ex-BCCI official’s criticism of the directive highlights the need for a more nuanced approach. As the T20 World Cup approaches, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but one thing is clear: cricket should be a sport that brings people together, not drives them apart.
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