Amid the uncertainty, young Bangladesh pace-bowling all-rounder Tanzim Hasan Sakib has indicated that he will rethink his decision to register for next year’s IPL after consulting with his agents and the cricket authorities at home.
Following the incident involving the experienced left-arm pacer’s exclusion from the IPL, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) did not remain silent. Citing security concerns, the country’s cricket governing body has refused to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
At present, the matter is pending with the ICC. If clearance is granted, all of Bangladesh’s matches will be held in Sri Lanka. Regardless of where the World Cup takes place, Sakib now appears less interested than before in registering for the IPL next year.
“Why he (Mustafizur) was removed from the IPL, we honestly don’t know. It could be a political issue. But politics should not enter cricket. We don’t think from a political perspective,” Sakib said.
“As a cricketer, there is always a desire to play in the IPL, and that’s why we register. But for next year, we will speak with our agents and the people back home, and then decide whether we will enter our names or not.”
In the 2026 IPL auction, six Bangladeshi cricketers, including Mustafizur and Sakib, had put their names forward. However, apart from Mustafizur and Taskin Ahmed, no other Bangladeshi player was picked in the auction. Mustafizur was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 9.2 crore.
