Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL 2025 Participation In Jeopardy For Delhi Capitals

Just 12 hours after the Delhi Capitals (DC) announced the Bangladesh left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, as the replacement of the opening batter, Jake Fraser-McGurk, questions have started to loom over the fast bowler’s participation.

The question is relevant after the veteran boarded the flight for Dubai on May 14 and posted a picture on social media. He declared his participation during the two-match T20I series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite being announced for the IPL.

BCB touches on the NOC issue and fixture clash with the national series

Usually, the league allows the replacements before 12 group-stage games. However, they have shifted the rule due to the suspension of the tournament. For any foreign player to come, he has to earn the NOC from the home board.

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) CEO, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, revealed that he had not received any request so far. They are trying to asses the condition around the subcontinent following the border-tension between India and Pakistan, with the respective boards to postpone the leagues.

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The discussion around Mustafizur Rahman gained controversy on the board. Granting an NOC to the left-arm pacer will put the board in a tricky position regarding two other players. Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, who were part of the PSL earlier, are also part of the T20I squad for the UAR trip.

Giving Mustafizur Rahman NOC means the BCB will have to do the same with Rishad and Rana.

“We are not saying that we won't let Mustafizur play in the IPL for the Delhi Capitals, but at the same time, there is a thing called national commitment, and he needs to fulfil that.” A BCB director requested the development.

“Along with that, if we had released him in that case, what would we have done with the two cricketers who took part in PSL, as they could have asked why we were not releasing them?” He added.

Mustafizur Rahman is to be available for DC from May 18

Reports have explained that Mustafizur Rahman could be released after the two-match series, ending on May 19. Meanwhile, another report claimed that the pacer could be available for the Capitals after the opening UAE clash on May 18.

The second scenario means that the pacer would play three group-stage games, with the number potentially increasing if the 2020 runners-up progress into the knockout stages.

If not, then the fast bowler will decide to play the series against Pakistan, scheduled to begin on May 27. He will be the third left-arm pace option for Delhi, including Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan. The franchise is in a spot to qualify for the playoffs.

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Cricbuzz has reported that Mustafizur Rahman was picked rapidly by the franchise, which didn’t allow him to submit a NOC to the BCB. The board is waiting for the government’s permission regarding the Pakistan trip after the PCB changed the schedule.

Mustafizur Rahman could replace Mitchell Starc in DC’s playing eleven

The 29-year-old pacer has collected 351 wickets in 279 innings at the T20 average of 21.72 and a strike rate of 17.30, shouldering six four-wicket hauls and four five-wicket hauls at the best bowling figure of 6/10 in an innings.

Mustafizur Rahman has earned 61 IPL wickets in 57 innings at an average of just below 29 and an economy rate of just over eight. He could potentially replace Mitchell Starc in the playing eleven.

Delhi’s next encounter in the IPL 2025 will be against the Gujarat Titans on May 18 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.