Mustafizur Rahman registers for IPL 2027 auction: Bangladesh Cricket Board confirms

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has registered for the IPL 2027 mini-auction, BCB chairman of cricket operations Shahriar Nafees confirmed to India Today. The left-arm pacer will be hoping to secure a franchise deal after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders before the previous season in controversial circumstances.

Nafees also confirmed that several other Bangladeshi cricketers have registered for the auction, including Nahid Rana, Rishad Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam.

“It is a normal procedure for IPL mini-auctions. BCCI has approached all cricket boards and asked them to register names of players who are interested in participating. Mustafizur has registered for their mini-auction,” Nafees told India Today.

“Yes, Nahid Rana, Rishad Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam.

HOW MUSTAFIZUR RELEASED KKR

KKR’s decision to release Mustafizur had wider ramifications and created a major controversy between the BCB and the BCCI. The Bangladeshi pacer was bought for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in the history of the tournament. However, BCCI instructed KKR to release himreferring to “recent developments”. The franchise subsequently confirmed that it had complied with the directive and would be able to sign a replacement.

The decision also created a deadlock over Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which was to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Citing security concerns, the BCB refused to send its team to India and asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. The board’s concerns came in the wake of developments surrounding Mustafizur’s dismissal.

The ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request, saying its assessment found no credible or verifiable security threat to the team in India. Bangladesh was subsequently replaced by Scotland in the tournament.

BCB SERIES HOPE FOR INDIA

The BCB remains hopeful that India’s postponed tour of Bangladesh will go ahead, despite the uncertainty surrounding bilateral cricket between the two countries. Originally planned for August 2025, the tour has been postponed and is now expected to take place in January 2027. However, the revised schedule has not yet been officially confirmed.

The proposed itinerary includes three ODIs and three T20Is. Claiming that the series was rescheduled with the consent of both boards, Nafees said the BCB remains optimistic about hosting the Indian team.

“They’re still hopeful at this point. It’s been rescheduled with the approval of both boards. So that’s all the information we have as of now. Hopefully, we’ll see how things pan out,” Nafees added.

India last toured Bangladesh in December 2022 for a three-match ODI series and a two-Test series. Bangladesh won the ODIs 2–1 while India swept the Tests 2–0. The proposed 2027 tour would mark India’s first bilateral visit to Bangladesh in over four years.

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