Former Bangladesh youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud has criticised India as “unfit to host any international event” following the controversial removal of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad ahead of IPL 2026.
The 30-year-old Mustafizur was set to make his IPL debut after being bought for INR 9.20 crore, becoming the most expensive Bangladeshi player in league history. However, he was dropped by KKR on Saturday following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing security concerns. Reports indicate pressure from hardline groups in India influenced the decision, raising fears of political interference in sport and straining cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh.
Speaking on the issue, Asif Mahmud described India as a “radical state” and said that the government and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) should jointly declare India unfit to host international cricket events, after consulting other cricket-playing nations. He added that even after periods of unrest in Bangladesh, Indian players had been able to participate safely in tournaments, highlighting the inconsistency in the treatment of Bangladeshi cricketers.
“Such a radical state should not be allowed to host any international event,” Asif Mahmud wrote on Facebook. “The government and BCB should take a united stance after discussions with other cricket boards. After 5 August, numerous tournaments in Bangladesh hosted Indians in full safety and competitive conditions.”
The BCB has yet to receive official clarification from the BCCI regarding Mustafizur’s exclusion. BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul has stated that no formal communication has been received and that any action regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India will be taken in consultation with the ICC. An emergency board meeting has been convened to discuss the matter.
The incident has also drawn criticism from former Indian cricket figures. Madan Lal, a former World Cup-winning all-rounder, expressed concern over the growing influence of politics in sport. “I think the BCCI took this decision because nobody can challenge them, not even Shah Rukh Khan,” he told India Today. “I do not understand why politics has entered cricket. What is happening with Bangladesh is very regrettable.”
The Mustafizur controversy has sparked calls in Bangladesh for a potential boycott of India ahead of the T20 World Cup, intensifying diplomatic and sporting tensions. The situation highlights the need to separate political issues from international cricket and safeguard the dignity and security of players.
