Delhi Capitals’ hopes of bolstering their bowling attack for the remainder of IPL 2025 with the inclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman may hit a roadblock. Despite being announced on Wednesday as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mustafizur’s immediate availability for the franchise remains uncertain due to national commitments and ongoing geopolitical sensitivities.
As per a report by Cricbuzz, Mustafizur has already travelled to the UAE to join the Bangladesh squad for a two-match T20I series against the hosts, raising doubts about whether he can feature for the Capitals before May 19. His availability is further complicated by rising border tensions in the subcontinent, which have prompted the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to closely monitor the situation and act with diplomatic caution.
“The BCB is trying to strike a balance,” the Cricbuzz report stated, highlighting that the board wishes to honour both its national responsibilities and maintain cordial relations with its neighbours — particularly the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Adding to the confusion, a cryptic social media post by Mustafizur on Wednesday evening stirred speculation among fans. “Heading to UAE to play against them. Keep me in your prayers,” the pacer wrote, without mentioning the IPL or his potential return.
According to sources within the BCB, granting Mustafizur a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to immediately join Delhi Capitals could place the board in a delicate position. Two other Bangladesh cricketers — Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana — who previously participated in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), are also part of the current squad in the UAE.
“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 told Cricbuzz.
“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?” the official added, emphasizing the need for consistency and fairness in decision-making.
If Mustafizur completes the two-match T20I series in the UAE, which ends on May 19, he could be released afterward. That would make him available for Delhi Capitals’ crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on May 21 at the Wankhede Stadium.
In the meantime, Delhi Capitals are preparing to face Gujarat Titans at home on Sunday, May 18, likely without their newly named pacer. The uncertainty around Mustafizur’s availability adds another layer of challenge for the Capitals, who are looking to strengthen their playoff push in the final stretch of the tournament.
