Kolkata Knight Riders announced on Saturday that they had released the Bangladeshi bowler upon instruction from India’s cricket board (BCCI).
Bangladesh is set to play three Twenty20 World Cup matches in Kolkata next month, as the tournament runs from February 7 to March 8 and is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“Bangladesh will not travel to India for the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has made this decision today,” Nazrul, an adviser to the Ministry of Sports, stated.
“We approve of this decision, given the extreme communal policies of India’s cricket board.”
Last month, protests erupted near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was assaulted and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district by a mob that accused him of making offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
A total of 12 individuals were arrested in connection with his death.
Deteriorating RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH
The incident has further strained relations between India and Bangladesh, with ties already fragile following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s escape to New Delhi amid protests against her.
Following Mustafizur’s release on Saturday, the BCB convened an emergency meeting and was preparing to contact the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discuss relocating their matches and express concerns about player safety.
“The board has stated that if a Bangladeshi player cannot participate in India despite being under contract, then the entire Bangladesh team cannot be expected to feel secure attending the World Cup,” Nazrul remarked.
“I have also directed the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup games be moved to Sri Lanka.”
Last year, the ICC permitted India to host Champions Trophy matches in the United Arab Emirates due to contentious relations with Pakistan.
On Sunday, cricket news outlet Cricbuzz reported that the BCB would seek a formal explanation from the BCCI regarding Mustafizur’s release.
The ICC and BCB did not provide immediate comments to requests from Reuters.
Bangladesh is set to compete against West Indies, England, and Italy in Kolkata before concluding the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai.
