KKR confirmed that the release was carried out after due process and consultation, following IPL regulations. The franchise added that it will be allowed to name a replacement player under league rules, with further details to be shared in due course.

According to reports, the directive was issued by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, who said the decision was taken in light of recent developments. He stated that BCCI had formally advised KKR to remove Mustafizur Rahman from their squad.

While the decision has been accepted by the franchise, it has not gone down well in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is said to be deeply unhappy and may respond firmly in the coming days. Sources suggest the issue goes beyond cricket contracts and touches on concerns of player security and respect.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play T20 World Cup matches in India next month, and officials are reportedly questioning whether a country that ‘cannot ensure the comfort and protection of one player’ can be trusted with an entire touring squad.

The situation has also drawn attention because of the symbolic angle. With Shah Rukh Khan, the face of KKR, effectively having no say in the matter, many see this as a clear reminder that cricket administration often outweighs star power.

As things stand, the episode has added another layer of strain to regional cricket relations. Whether this turns into a short lived dispute or a lasting standoff will depend on how both boards choose to play their next move.