The Bangladesh Cricket Board president, Aminul Islam Bulbul, stated that the board views Mustafizur Rahman's participation in the IPL through a cricketing, not political, lens. This comes after a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader demanded Rahman's exclusion from the IPL due to alleged violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Bulbul emphasized fostering cricket ties with India and monitoring the situation, noting the IPL is a domestic league. Rahman was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 9.20 crore for the 2026 season.