A tense moment unfolded in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 (BPL 2025-26) when Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi was asked about the ongoing conflict between India and Bangladesh following Mustafizur Rahman’s controversial IPL 2026 ouster.
BPL Press Conference Turns Awkward for Mohammad Nabi
However, Mohammad Nabi made it clear that he did not want to be dragged into a sensitive controversy, as he has nothing to do with the political cricket drama between India and Pakistan.
The veteran Afghanistan all-rounder is currently playing for Noakhali Express in the ongoing BPL 2025-26. After the Bangladesh Premier League match between Noakhali Express and Dhaka Capitals, Nabi found himself in an awkward situation during a post-match press conference.
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Instead of questions about the BPL 2025-26 game, a reporter dragged Nabi into the growing controversy involving Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman and IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which eventually became a national issue for both India and Bangladesh.
Mohammad Nabi Refuses to Be Part of Political Drama
The question visibly annoyed the Afghan star Mohammad Nabi, who reacted strongly and shut it down immediately by making it clear that the matter had nothing to do with the controversy and had no role in political matters.
Nabi acknowledged that Mustafizur is a good bowler but expressed his frustration at being asked about something that had nothing to do with his team, his match, or his career.
Mohammad Nabi told the reporter at the post-match press conference, “Iska merese kya lena dena bhai. Mera Mustafizur se kya kaam hai? Politics me kya kaam hai mera? (What do I have to do with it? How am I related to Mustafizur? I don’t have anything to do with politics. I know he is a good bowler, all these things. But the way you are questioning, it’s not related to me.”
Respect for Nabi & Afghanistan +9999 📈
Afghan cricketer Md. Nabi, who is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), was asked about Mustafizur Rahman being released from the IPL.
Nabi got angry and refused to comment on the matter. 😡🤬🇮🇳 🩷 🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/FoRFkPwpMy
— Jara (@JARA_Memer) January 12, 2026
Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL Exit Sparks Massive Fallout
Following Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster by the KKR on the BCCI’s order, the situation between India and Bangladesh has become very serious. The KKR had signed Rahman for INR 9.20 crore at the IPL Auction 2026, and he was the only player from Bangladesh to be picked for the next season.
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Big teams like Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals were also interested in signing the Bangladesh pacer, but KKR won the bidding war in Abu Dhabi last month.
Later, KKR had to let Mustafizur go on the BCCI’s instructions after strong backlash in India and reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. The issue grew beyond cricket, as the Bangladesh government banned the IPL 2026 in the country till further notice.
Cricket Row Escalates Into Diplomatic Tension
Even the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) asking for their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches to be shifted from India to Sri Lanka. The BCB is still waiting for a reply from the ICC after raising security concerns about traveling to India for the World Cup.
The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Bangladesh are scheduled to play their group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
