Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has officially joined the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 after being released by the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
The announcement was made through the PSL’s official social media, featuring a banner of the left-arm pacer who has represented Bangladesh in 15 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 126 T20Is. The league captioned the post, “Batters better shake carefully… it’s going to Fizz in the #NewEra. Mustafizur Rahman joins HBL PSL 11!”
Rahman’s abrupt release by KKR came on the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) just two days before the start of IPL 2026. KKR issued a statement confirming that the IPL regulator instructed them to release Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming season.
The unexpected decision drew a strong reaction from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which subsequently decided that the national men’s team would not travel to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to security concerns.
The BCB also sought clarification on Rahman’s sudden exclusion, with youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul sharing concerns on social media. Earlier this week, the Bangladeshi government announced a ban on coverage of the cash-rich league in the country.
A statement from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said no reason was communicated for Rahman’s exclusion, noting that the move had caused public distress. The ministry added that the ban was imposed “in public interest,” with the statement signed by Assistant Secretary Firoz Khan.
Mustafizur Rahman’s registration in PSL 2026 marks a major addition to the league, allowing fans to watch the talented pacer in action despite his exclusion from the IPL.
The development has sparked discussions across cricketing circles in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, highlighting the growing complexities of international cricket administration and player participation in major T20 leagues.
