Mustafizur Rahman Joins PSL After Sudden IPL Exit Amid Political Tensions

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has joined the Pakistan Super League after being released by his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders. The move comes at a tense time, with growing political strain between cricket boards in India and Bangladesh.

Mustafizur was part of KKR for IPL 2026 on a big INR 9.2 crore deal. However, he was let go after a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. No official reason was shared, but reports linked the call to civil unrest and political developments in Bangladesh.

Soon after his release, the Pakistan Super League confirmed that Mustafizur will be part of the HBL PSL 11 player draft. The announcement was made through an official social media post, ending speculation about his next move.

The left-arm pacer will enter the PSL draft on January 21, 2026. His team is not yet decided, but this will mark his return to the league after eight years. Mustafizur last played in the PSL in 2018, when he turned out for Lahore Qalandars.

Financially, the shift is a big step down. The PSL contract will pay him far less than his IPL deal, but experts feel match time matters more at this stage. One former player said, “He needs overs in competitive cricket, and PSL gives him that.”

Back home, the Bangladesh Cricket Board was unhappy with the decision. The board reportedly asked the International Cricket Council to move Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches out of India and to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.

Adding to the fallout, Bangladesh’s interim government announced a ban on the telecast of IPL matches on local television channels. The move has surprised fans, many of whom follow the league closely every year.

Despite the political noise, many see Mustafizur’s PSL entry as a sensible cricketing call. Regular games could help him stay sharp ahead of international commitments.