Excluded from IPL, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman joins Pakistan Super League; PSL confirms

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has signed a contract with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after being excluded from the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 following directives from the BCCI. The PSL confirmed Rahman’s signing through a post on its social media handles."Batters better shake carefully… its going to Fizz in the #NewEra. Mustafizur Rahman joins HBL PSL 11!" the league wrote. The move comes days after Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from their IPL 2026 squad on instructions from the BCCI. Rahman had been bought by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL auction after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. The BCCI did not explain the decision and said it was required due to "the developments all around".Following this, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked for Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches to be shifted from India to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh has also banned the broadcast of the upcoming IPL season in the country.In a statement, the Bangladesh information and broadcast ministry said no "logical reason" was given by the BCCI while directing KKR to release Rahman from their 2026 squad.“No logical reason for such a decision (Rahman's release) by the BCCI is known, and such a decision has saddened, hurt, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” the government notification said."In this situation, until further notice, it is requested by order to stop the broadcasting/telecasting of all matches and programs of the Indian Premier League (IPL)."The IPL season is scheduled to begin on March 26.