The three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, is under fire for buying Bangladeshi left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming edition of cash-rich league.
However, on Saturday All India Imam Association (AIAA) President, Maulana Sajid Rashidi, threw his weight behind King Khan amid massive criticism over the selection. He said that the decision to release Rahman's name from the IPL should have come before the auction.
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"... The decision to drop the Bangladeshi player should have been made before the auction, as they were aware of the situation in Bangladesh... This decision is set under the narrative of the Hindu-Muslim angle... There is no mistake of Shah Rukh Khan as he bought the player under BCCI rules and regulations...," he told ANI.
The row
A political row erupted in India following his signing amid the strained relations and violence in the neighbouring country. After facing intense criticism, KKR on Saturday (January 3) released the left-arm pacer from its squad.
The development was confirmed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia who stated that the board had communicated the decision to KKR.
Mustafizur was picked up by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL auction that took place in December 2025.
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KKR allowed to sign replacement
"Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement," Devaijit Saikia told ANI.
