Aminul expresses security concerns for Bangladeshi cricketers in India

Former Bangladesh football team captain Aminul Islam has expressed serious concerns over the safety of Bangladeshi cricketers in India, following the removal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Reacting to the incident, Aminul said the situation has created a sense of insecurity, especially with the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February–March.

“With the World Cup coming up, there remains a sense of insecurity if our cricketers go to India to play,” Aminul said.

He urged Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the relevant government authorities to engage in immediate discussions to address the issue and ensure player safety.

Aminul also called on the BCB to investigate whether religious motives or conspiracies played a role in Mustafizur’s exclusion.

“If Mustafizur does not play in the IPL, he may suffer financially, but the respect he receives from his country will not diminish. He has played in the IPL before. If he has been dropped due to religious issues, the matter must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.

He further warned that dragging religion into sports to create division between Bangladesh and India is unfortunate and damaging.

“If a talented player like Mustafizur is released under such circumstances, it is deeply concerning. The reasons behind this decision should be examined and presented to the nation,” Aminul added.

Meanwhile, a BCB source said that the board has not yet received any formal communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding Mustafizur’s removal. It would respond after receiving an official explanation.

Earlier, the BCB had announced it would grant Mustafizur a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the entire IPL season, apart from brief breaks for bilateral series. However, in light of the latest situation, the pacer will no longer be participating in the tournament.

Mustafizur, who was bought for INR 9.20 crore in the IPL auction, was set to play for KKR for the first time.

However, he was later dropped from the squad amid protests by BJP backed hindu leaders and activists across India demanding the exclusion of Bangladeshi players.

They also threatened to set fire to and vandalise the stadium if Mustafizur played for the team.

The situation has sparked debate and raised questions about the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s ability to ensure security, as well as the future of cricketing relations between Bangladesh and India.

NSA