IPL Or Bangladesh T20Is? Mustafizur Rahman's NOC Confusion Puts Cloud Over DC Signing: Report

While Delhi Capitals (DC) have roped in Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman for the remaining Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 matches, his participation in the cash-rich league is shrouded in uncertainty. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BC) has reportedly said that it has not been approached for a no-objection certificate (NOC) as yet.

Mustafizur was signed on by DC for INR 6 crore as a replacement for Australia opener Jake Fraser McGurk ahead of the resumption of IPL 2025, and usually such signings are announced once the player gets an NOC from the home board. But in the case of the left-arm pacer, BCB's chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury appears to have denied receiving any such request.

"Mustafizur is supposed to go with the team to the UAE according to the schedule. We have not received any communication from IPL officials. I have also not received any such official communication from Mustafizur either," an ESPNcricinfo report quoted Chowdhury as saying on Wednesday.

Indeed, the Bangladesh squad that will be visiting United Arab Emirates and Pakistan for T20 international series includes Mustafizur, and both these series clash with the IPL. To add to the confusion, the report added that Mustafizur flew out to Dubai with the rest of Bangladesh's squad on Wednesday, hours after being picked by DC.

Bangladesh will play two T20Is in the UAE on May 17 and 19, followed by five games in Pakistan from May 25 to June 3. Over in the IPL, DC have their last three league matches (against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings) on May 18, 21 and 24, followed by the playoffs if they do advance.

The Delhi-based franchise currently lies fifth in the standings with 13 points from 11 matches, only a point behind fourth-placed MI who have played one game more. The IPL 2025 action resumes on Saturday (May 17) after a weeklong suspension due to the India-Pakistan conflict.