After much drama, Mustafizur Rahman has finally received clearance to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In line with the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) conditions, the left-arm pacer featured in the first T20I against the United Arab Emirates last night. He impressed with the ball, conceding just 17 runs and taking 2 wickets in his four-over spell.
However, Mustafizur will not be available for the second and final match of the series. He is scheduled to fly to India to join the Delhi Capitals squad, who are set to face Gujarat at home tonight.
There is still some uncertainty over whether Mustafizur will be able to play in tonight’s IPL match. The back-to-back games and long travel could prove physically taxing. If he does take the field, he will have played two competitive matches within 24 hours—a challenging feat for any athlete.
Mustafizur was picked up midway through this year’s IPL season. On May 14, Delhi Capitals confirmed his signing for INR 6 crore. Although he had a team, there were complications over his No Objection Certificate (NOC), which cast doubt on his participation. Eventually, the BCB granted him a 7-day NOC, allowing him to play in the IPL from May 18 to May 24. Delhi Capitals have three matches scheduled during this period.
Currently ranked fifth on the points table with 13 points from 11 matches, Delhi Capitals are in strong contention for a playoff spot. Winning all three remaining matches will guarantee their qualification without relying on other results. That’s why these upcoming games are crucial for the team. Recognizing this, the BCB granted Mustafizur permission to play in all three.
The IPL had paused for a week due to rising India-Pakistan tensions. Since resumption, many franchises have been struggling with player availability, especially overseas recruits. Delhi Capitals have been among the most affected. Australian opener Jake Fraser-McGurk has opted out of the remainder of the tournament due to security concerns, and Mustafizur has been brought in as his replacement.
Adding to Delhi’s woes, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has also withdrawn from the rest of the season. With Starc gone, Mustafizur remains the only overseas left-arm fast bowler in the Delhi squad, making his role all the more crucial. The Bangladesh pacer has previously played for Delhi in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, where he claimed a total of 9 wickets.
