Mustafizur Rahman ‘exclusion’ from the IPL is a clear message to Bangladesh
It has almost become a rant, separate sports from politics. The more one hears it, there is a further increase in tensions. To cut a long story short, news of Mustafizur Rehman, the ‘death bowler’ in T20 format of cricket, having to sit out of the forthcoming Indian Premier League has set the cat among the pigeons.
It is well-known, relations between India and Bangladesh have hit the nadir. The political turmoil in the neighboring country has been raging for a long period of time. What is worrying, a State (Read Country) which was created as recent as 1971 is acting arrogant. Worse, the political situation within Bangladesh has become volatile. From an Indian point of view, Hindus being killed in Bangladesh, rather barbarically, has come in for massive flak and outrage.
More recently, the death of political leader Khaleda Zia in Bangladesh has seen India extend its condolences. That, however, does not mean India shook hands of friendship or held the proverbial Olive Branch to Bangladesh. If anything, for the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to be told by the Indian Government that Mustafizur Rahman should not play in the IPL is a clear signal Bangladeshis, like Pakistanis, are not welcome.
Just to jog the readers’ memory, Rahman was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a massive Rs 9.2 crores at the IPL auction held in Abu Dhabi last month. For those saying this decision is motivated and aimed at film star Shah Rukh Khan, it is totally wrong. Fact is, India will not engage with Bangladeshis when they are indulging in torture of Indians from one religion across the border. Long back, Pakistanis were banned from the IPL. There was never a rethink nor will there be, given the political turmoil and lack of trust between the two nations. That it has worsened after Operation Sindoor, a big triumph for India, is well-known.
Indeed, the reaction from Bangladesh has been knee-jerk. They have a shaky ‘Interim Government’ in place now. For it to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that matches of Bangladesh in the forthcoming World Cup T20 be moved out of India is optics. The reason given is India is unsafe for Bangladeshi cricketers and matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.
One is not sure whether this demand will be met. Bangladesh must know, they are not Pakistan, who can throw their weight around. The number of Bangladeshis living in India, legally and illegally is high. Nobody has been living in fear. So, it is laughable for Bangladesh to write to the ICC India is unsafe.
The ICC is currently headed by Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Whether the request will be considered now is unclear, but rescheduling the World Cup matches at this stage is a logistical nightmare. Second point, Bangladesh loves Indian cricket and the IPL. If they have said they will block the IPL coverage in Bangladesh, it is not a loss for the richest domestic cricket event but for fans of Bangladesh.
For those who are giving the current imbroglio a political twist that India’s bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics will be affected, it is far-fetched. Global politics is not about one IPL cricketer being asked to stay away from the IPL.
