IPL 2025: Mustafizur Rahman skips Delhi Capitals and arrives in Dubai

Dubai: Just hours after Delhi Capitals announced Mustafizur Rahman as their latest signing for the IPL, the Bangladesh pacer boarded a flight — not to join his franchise, but to link up with the national squad in Dubai for a T20 series against the UAE.

The veteran left-arm seamer was unveiled as a replacement for Australian opener Jake Fraser-McGurk on Wednesday, but confusion followed swiftly when Mustafizur posted a photo of himself travelling to the UAE for Bangladesh’s two-match Twenty20 series, scheduled for May 17 and 19 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

‘National commitment comes first’

A senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified the situation: “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.”

The official added that making exceptions could set a dangerous precedent. “If we had released him, what would we have said to the two cricketers who played in the PSL? They could have asked why we were not releasing them too. We don’t want to be in a position where any board can point a finger at us.”

Schedule clash looms large

Bangladesh are also scheduled to play a five-match T20I series in Pakistan from May 25 to June 3, dates that directly clash with the IPL playoffs and final.

Delhi Capitals are set to play their final three league matches on May 18, 21 and 24, and could progress further if they qualify for the playoffs. The final is scheduled for June 3 — the same day as Bangladesh’s last match in Pakistan. It still remains to be seen if Mustafizur links up with Delhi Capitals at the end of the UAE series, which means he will just miss one match.

A proven performer in T20 cricket

Mustafizur, 29, is no stranger to the IPL. He made his debut in 2016 and previously represented Delhi Capitals in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2022, he picked up eight wickets in eight matches with an economy of 7.62; last season, he played just two games.

He was re-signed by Delhi for Rs60 million after Fraser-McGurk opted out of the remainder of the season due to personal reasons.

In total, Mustafizur has featured in 57 IPL matches, collecting 61 wickets and earning a reputation as a bowler capable of delivering in all phases of an innings.

Internationally, the left-armer has taken 132 wickets in 106 T20Is for Bangladesh, cementing his place as one of the premier left-arm pacers in white-ball cricket. Across all T20 competitions — domestic and global — he has amassed 351 wickets in 281 matches.

A familiar balancing act

Mustafizur’s situation highlights a recurring dilemma for modern cricketers — juggling franchise opportunities with national duty. While Delhi Capitals may hope to see him back before the IPL concludes, for now, Bangladesh have made their stance clear: country comes first, and Mustafizur’s immediate future lies in Sharjah, not the IPL.