The IPL 2025 is set to resume this weekend after a temporary suspension due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Amid all the buzz, Delhi Capitals made headlines by signing Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, who will not return for the rest of the season.

The signing raised excitement – but there’s a catch.

Mustafizur Signed for ₹6 Crore – But Will He Play?

On May 14, Delhi Capitals announced Mustafizur’s signing for ₹6 crore as a short-term replacement. The league had just updated its rules, allowing teams to sign replacement players even after their 12th match of the season – a rule not allowed earlier.

However, any player signed after the tournament’s suspension is not eligible for retention in IPL 2026. That’s a significant factor for both teams and players.

BCB: “We Haven’t Heard Anything Official Yet”

Soon after the announcement, confusion started brewing. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) clarified that they had not received any official communication from the IPL or Mustafizur regarding a No-Objection Certificate (NOC).

BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told The Daily Star,

“We have not received any communication from IPL officials. I am not sure whether Mustafizur has asked for any NOC either.”

Without this certificate, Mustafizur cannot legally participate in the IPL.

National Duty Comes First

Here’s where things get complicated.

Mustafizur has been selected in Bangladesh’s T20I squad for their series against the UAE on May 17 and 19. The squad has already left for the UAE – with Mustafizur on board.

This creates a direct clash between national commitments and IPL duties.

BCB Doesn’t Want to Set a Precedent

A BCB director, in a chat with Cricbuzz, mentioned they don’t entirely oppose Mustafizur playing for DC. But there’s a bigger concern:

“We don’t want to send the wrong message. If we allow Mustafizur to skip national duty for the IPL, what do we tell the other players?”

The board is also thinking about Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, who were part of the PSL earlier this year. Both are also selected for the UAE series.

Letting Mustafizur go might raise questions from these players – and the board doesn’t want to deal with potential backlash or accusations of bias.

Balancing Act for BCB

The BCB now faces a tough choice:

• If they allow only Mustafizur to go, it may look unfair to the other two players.
• If they let all three go, it could weaken the national squad for the UAE tour.

With the ongoing diplomatic strain between India and Pakistan, granting NOC to an IPL player while denying it to PSL players could also invite unwanted controversy.

From the BCB’s point of view, denying all three NOCs seems to be the safest option.

Even If He Gets the NOC, DC Might Not Use Him Much

Let’s say Mustafizur somehow gets the NOC. Even then, Delhi Capitals only have three league games left:

• May 18
• May 21
• May 24

He’ll be needed only if DC qualifies for the playoffs. So, his availability might not make much difference, especially considering the scheduling and travel.

Final Thoughts

While the signing made news, the chances of Mustafizur Rahman actually playing in IPL 2025 remain uncertain. With national duty calling, no confirmed NOC, and limited matches left in DC’s campaign, fans may not get to see the ‘Fizz’ in action this IPL season.

One thing is clear: when it comes to international cricket boards and player availability, things are rarely as simple as they seem.