In the upcoming season of the IPL, Mustafizur Rahman will play for the Kolkata Knight Riders as the only Bangladeshi cricketer in the tournament. Bought for ₹9.2 crore, Mustafizur’s inclusion has sparked threats from religious leaders in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, who have warned of vandalism at the ground if he is fielded.

They claim this stance is due to recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Calls to boycott the Kolkata team have also been made on social media.

Mahabir Nath, the chief priest of the Rinmukteshwar Mahadev Temple in Ujjain, said, “If a Bangladeshi player is brought onto the field, Kolkata will face serious trouble. Ascetic warriors will not allow the match to take place and will enter the ground to carry out vandalism.”

Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over the duration of Mustafizur’s participation in the IPL. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul stated that the Cricket Operations Department will decide based on the needs of Bangladesh’s international series.

BCB Cricket Operations Committee Chairman Nazmul Abedin Fahim said that since Bangladesh has a limited-overs series against New Zealand in April, Mustafizur will be able to join the IPL only after completing that series.