Exclusion
ISLAMABAD: In an unusually sharp and unprecedented statement, Bangladesh’sYouth and Sports Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has declared that “the days ofslavery are over” while issuing a stinging rebuke to the Board of Controlfor Cricket in India (BCCI) and indirectly to the Indian establishment. Theoutburst came after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped Bangladeshileft-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, a decision theBangladesh government believes was taken under pressure from Hindunationalist and extremist groups. Dr Nazrul described the move as an”insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and the nation itself”.
The controversy erupted when reliable sources within Bangladesh cricketcircles confirmed that Mustafizur Rahman, who was part of KKR’s retainedcore for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, was suddenlyexcluded despite having a valid contract. Several Bangladeshi analysts andformer players have pointed to the increasingly toxic social media campaignled by certain right-wing handles that targeted the Bangladeshi pacerfollowing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries afterthe political upheaval in Dhaka in mid-2024.
Dr Asif Nazrul, a prominent law professor turned political adviser in theinterim government, did not mince words during his media interaction. Heaccused the BCCI of “bowing down to communal forces” and warned that if acontracted international player can be dropped on such grounds, then noBangladeshi cricketer can feel secure playing in India. He stated that thisdevelopment has forced the government to seriously reconsider Bangladesh’sentire participation in ICC events hosted or co-hosted by India, includingthe upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
In a series of concrete decisions, Dr Nazrul revealed that he has formallyinstructed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to write to the InternationalCricket Council (ICC) requesting that all of Bangladesh’s World Cup matchesoriginally scheduled in India be shifted to neutral venues, with Sri Lankabeing the preferred choice due to geographical proximity, historicalgoodwill and adequate infrastructure. The adviser has also directed theMinistry of Information and Broadcasting to immediately stop the telecastof all IPL matches on Bangladeshi television channels and digital platforms.
The tone of the statement was markedly different from conventionaldiplomatic language usually adopted in cricket-related disputes. Dr Nazrulrepeatedly emphasised national dignity, stating: “We will not accept anyinsult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers, or Bangladesh under anycircumstances. The days of slavery are over.” The reference to “slavery”was widely interpreted in both Bangladeshi and international media as apowerful symbolic reminder of Bangladesh’s liberation struggle in 1971 andits refusal to accept perceived domination in any sphere, including sports.
Cricket observers note that this is perhaps the strongest officialstatement ever issued by any South Asian government against the BCCI sincethe inception of the IPL in 2008. The development comes at a time whenBangladesh-India bilateral relations remain strained following thepolitical transition in Dhaka, border issues, water-sharing disputes andrecent public rhetoric from both capitals.
The BCB has so far maintained cautious silence on the matter, though highlyplaced sources indicate that a formal letter to the ICC is being drafted.Meanwhile, cricket fans in Bangladesh have launched a massive social mediacampaign with the hashtags #ProtectMustafiz and #NoSlaveryInCrickettrending across the country for several days.
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Mustafizur Rahman, nicknamed ‘The Fizz’, remains one of Bangladesh’s mostsuccessful overseas T20 players with a distinguished IPL record,particularly during his earlier stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad and MumbaiIndians. His sudden exclusion has been viewed by many as not merely acricketing decision but a politically motivated one.
Analysts believe the Bangladesh government’s aggressive posture could set anew precedent in how smaller cricketing nations respond to perceivedinjustice from the financially and politically dominant BCCI. Whether thisescalates into a formal ICC dispute or leads to behind-the-scenesnegotiations remains to be seen, but the message from Dhaka isunmistakable: Bangladesh is no longer willing to accept unequal treatmentin the cricketing world.
Source:https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/news/asif-nazrul-slams-bcci-mustafiz-exclusion-3654781
Tags: Bangladesh, India, BCCI, Mustafizur Rahman, IPL, ICC
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