Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has voiced concerns over the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) treatment of Bangladesh player Mustafizur Rahman.
Mustafizur was released by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2026 season on the BCCI’s instructions.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) responded strongly to the development, with the country’s youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul stating that the board would seek an explanation over Mustafizur’s sudden exclusion from the IPL.
Speaking at the Pakistan Celebrity T10 League (PCCL) season 2 event, Akmal talked about Rahman, noting that it was unfair to the pacer.
“Until you maintain good relations with your neighbors, you cannot move forward,” Kamran Akmal said.
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“What happened with Mustafizur Rahman was completely wrong. If a single player could not be provided security, how could the entire team be guaranteed safety?” he questioned.
He urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take difficult decisions.
“Even Pakistani players in other countries face visa issues. The same thing happened during the 2023 World Cup. ICC needs to understand these matters now.”
Meanwhile, former spinner Saeed Ajmal talked about the Indian team not visiting Pakistan.
“The whole world comes to Pakistan to play. Why is India so reluctant to come here? Ajmal questioned.
Former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq praised the inaugural PCCL event, calling the first edition a “great success.”
Razzaq highlighted that, for the first time in a long while, Pakistan’s Shaheens and Under-19 players have received so much cricket.
“The future of Pakistan cricket is bright. The performances of the Under-19s and Shaheens speak for themselves,” he said.
On the changing cricketing landscape, he observed that India’s actions are now visible to everyone, emphasizing that personal matters should not interfere with the game.
“We hope that these steps will contribute to the improvement of cricket. We have always seen that cricket sends a message of peace,” he added.
Responding to questions about players and interactions, Razzaq added that the decision not to shake hands was directed by the board.