Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal has urged Indian authorities and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stop politicising sports.
Tabith made the call in a social media post on Sunday following Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) squad for the IPL 2026 season, reportedly after instructions from the BCCI.
Mustafizur’s ouster has triggered widespread criticism, with several voices, including Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, condemning what they described as the politicisation of sport.
A BCCI official had referred to “recent developments which are going on all across,” a statement widely interpreted as an indirect reference to prevailing geopolitical tensions in the region.
“I am deeply disappointed to learn that Mustafizur Rahman has been forced out of the IPL 2026 season due to political pressure, despite being legitimately secured by the Kolkata Knight Riders for his cricketing merit,” said Tabith, who was elected BFF chief in October 2024.
Mustafizur was bought by KKR for INR 9.2 crore at the IPL auction late last year. The franchise on Saturday confirmed his release, citing directives from the BCCI, without providing any specific reason. The left-arm pacer has been a regular in the IPL since 2016, picking up 65 wickets in 60 matches.
“Mustafizur is a world-class athlete who earned his place through skill and performance. To target him solely based on his nationality is not just unfair to a sportsman; it is a regrettable display of intolerance that has no place in the gentleman’s game,” Tabith added.
“I urge the Indian authorities and the BCCI to stop politicising sports,” the BFF boss continued.
“Sports has the unique power to heal divides and unite nations. Instead of using it as a tool for division, let us use it to build understanding and mutual respect.”
Tabith, a prominent politician of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has contested the Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral elections twice, in 2015 and 2020.
He concluded his statement by saying, “Stay strong, Mustafizur. The entire nation stands with you.”
Over his IPL career, Mustafizur has represented Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Mumbai Indians (MI), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
His exclusion has also sparked strong reactions on social media in Bangladesh, while Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials and sports adviser Asif Nazrul have reportedly called for the Tigers’ T20 World Cup.