Very Unfortunate - Moeen Ali Saddened by Mustafizurs Exit from the IPL

After the T20 World Cup, Mustafizur Rahman was expected to return to the IPL spotlight once again. A big-money contract, a new jersey, and fresh expectations were all in place, but in the end, political realities and tensions between the two countries meant that the dream remained only on paper. The Bangladeshi left-arm pacer will not be taking the field for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2026 IPL. While the disappointment is heavy for Mustafizur himself, his teammates are equally saddened by the missed opportunity.

Speaking openly about Mustafizur’s exclusion from the IPL, England’s experienced all-rounder Moeen Ali—currently playing for Sylhet in the BPL—shared his thoughts. Having played alongside Mustafizur for a long time in international cricket and various franchise leagues, Moeen also highlighted the Bangladeshi pacer’s qualities as a person. Commenting on Mustafizur’s situation, Moeen said, “I feel sorry for Mustafiz (missing out on the IPL). I think everyone feels sorry for Mustafiz. It’s very unfortunate. As a person, Mustafiz is a great guy. After a long time, he had secured a good deal. But as I said, what happened is very unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, Moeen Ali also expressed his satisfaction with Sylhet’s franchise and the pitch conditions in the ongoing BPL. According to him, the Sylhet wicket has behaved positively this season, leading to plenty of runs being scored. Along with the pitch, the team environment and recent performances have boosted his confidence, the English all-rounder noted.

Although there have been debates at times regarding the payment of foreign players in the BPL, Moeen said he has faced no such issues personally. Speaking about playing for Sylhet and his feelings about repeatedly returning to Bangladesh, he said, “If I wasn’t getting paid, would I still be here? Winning a few important matches after joining the team has really increased our confidence. I feel a special affection when playing in Sylhet. I have an emotional connection with the people here. That bond is what makes me enjoy coming back to Bangladesh again and again.”

Moeen Ali further added, “I think earlier Bangladesh had two or three world-class cricketers. Shakib and Tamim—both were big players. It’s not just about being world-class; I think they were great characters as well. They were fighters, and the way they played made them quality cricketers. I think Bangladesh is fortunate to have had players like them for so many years.”