Lahore Qalandars on Thursday announced the direct signing of Mustafizur Rahman for Pakistan Super League Season 11 following the release of the Bangladesh pacer by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. Rahman was removed from the KKR roster on BCCI instructions, triggering a controversial sequence of events that led to the withdrawal of Bangladesh national team from the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and selective pullout of Pakistan from the marquee fixture against India. BCCI did not specify the reason for Mustafir’s ouster but said it was due to developments all across, a reference to the tense diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh following the killings of Hindus in the neighbouring country. Bangladesh withdrew citing security concerns despite the International Cricket Council’s low threat perception for the tournament to be played in India and Sri Lanka. The Pakistan government announced the boycott of the fixture against India in support of Bangladesh. Earlier on Thursday, calling Pakistan’s boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India an “appropriate decision, the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that it was a “considered stance” to support Bangladesh. Pakistan’s cricket team has been told by the government to skip the February 15 game in Colombo after Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland for refusing to play its games in India on account of “security concerns”. “We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won’t play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field,” Sharif stated after a government meeting here.Story continues below this ad “We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision. We are with Bangladesh,” he added. In response, Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul posted “Thank You, Pakistan” on his official Facebook page, while quoting Sharif’s statement. Rahman, originally picked by the Qalandars in 2016 and 2018, is now set to don the Qalandars’ colours once more. The signing was agreed at PKR 6.44 crore (roughly Rs 2 crore in INR). “Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he’s a brother, a key part of our family who never left,” said Sameen Rana, Owner, Lahore Qalandars.Story continues below this ad Earlier, Qalandars had retained captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, key batter Abdullah Shafique, dynamic all-rounder Sikandar Raza, and skilled youngster Mohammad Naeem. Rahman’s signing strengthens the team’s core ahead of the big auction and sets the stage for a strong campaign.
Released from KKR, Mustafizur Rahman to play for PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars
