IPL 2025: Bangladesh denies knowledge of Mustafizur Rahman's Delhi Capitals deal

The Delhi Capitals' (DC) plans to bolster their pace attack with Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the remainder of IPL 2025 have run into uncertainty, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has clarified that it has not received any request for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from either the player or the franchise.

On Wednesday, Delhi Capitals announced the signing of Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who will not rejoin the team for the remainder of the Indian Premier League due to the ongoing India-Pakistan hostilities.

Usually, the IPL announces player signings only after the player has secured an NOC from his home board. However, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said the board is yet to receive such a request from Mustafizur or the IPL.

"Mustafizur is supposed to go with the team to the UAE according to the schedule," Chowdhury told ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday.

"We have not received any communication from IPL officials. I have also not received any such official communication from Mustafizur either," he added.

Mustafizur is expected to step in as the lead



overseas pacer for DC, particularly if Mitchell Starc does not return after the mid-season break.

However, Mustafizur posted a picture of himself traveling to Dubai for Bangladesh’s upcoming two-match T20I series against the UAE. The matches are scheduled for May 17 and 19, and if Mustafizur is named in the playing XI, he will miss Delhi Capitals’ home fixture against Gujarat Titans on May 18. DC are set to play their final three league matches on May 18, 21, and 24, followed by the playoffs, should they qualify.

It is understood that Mustafizur has a lucrative contract, and the franchise — Delhi Capitals—is currently negotiating with the Bangladesh Cricket Board for his early release. As is customary for overseas players, the respective cricket board also receives a percentage of the player’s IPL contract.

Mustafizur, who made his IPL debut in 2016, previously represented Delhi Capitals in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2022, he picked up eight wickets in as many matches at an economy of 7.62. In 2023, he featured in just two games. Over the course of his IPL career, the 29-year-old has played 38 matches, claiming 38 wickets at an economy rate of 7.84.