Mustafizur release signals uneasy future for Bangladesh players

Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed that they have complied with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instruction and released Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh pacer whom they had bought for INR 9.2 crore at the recent mini-auction in Abu Dhabi.

"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 franchise said in a statement. The release was carried out, clearly, following a due process, particularly after an advisory from the regulators - the BCCI and the IPL.

While it is understood that the anti-minority killings in the neighbouring state and the anti-Bangladesh mood in the country are the trigger, the franchise itself could not have acted arbitrarily, as legal issues would have been involved. The player would have had the right to seek legal recourse if the franchise had released him on its own.

"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," the franchise said in the statement.

The onus was always on the BCCI to provide the directive to the franchise to take the first step.

In buying Mustafizur, the franchise, in fact, followed the directives of the BCCI, which had registered him for the auction. There were seven Bangladesh players in all in the auction, and it was a different matter that no other player was picked.

In fact, there was a fierce bidding for Mustafizur, with two other franchises also competing for the 30-year-old pacer. Delhi Capitals started the bidding at INR 2.2 crore and went up to INR 5.2 crore before the Knight Riders jumped into the fray. Chennai Super Kings went as long as INR 9 crore before the Knight Riders eventually bagged him at Rs 9.2 crore. Mustafizur had previously represented Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, SunRisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.

A senior IPL hand said the franchise could not have acted on its own, adding, "It had to be the BCCI call and the franchise could not have taken an arbitrary decision. The franchises and players are bound by certain contracts from which they cannot overstep. The IPL rules prevent any kind of arbitrariness."

After BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia made the announcement, the situation became clear. He said, "...BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement," citing 'recent developments,' which he did not elaborate.

The 'recent developments', however, have placed Bangladesh players largely off-limits, much like Pakistan players have been since 2008. Not just in the IPL, the franchises, many of which also own teams in overseas leagues, have been steadfastly avoiding hiring Pakistan players. The same fate may also befall Bangladesh players, who represent some India-owned teams sporadically in different leagues.