Mustafizur Rahman Chooses PSL Over IPL Amid India-Bangladesh Tensions
Mustafizur Rahman, Lahore Qalandars, PSL: After being dropped from the IPL 2026, Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will now be seen playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He has been acquired by the Lahore Qalandars. Rahman will receive a salary approximately 77% less in the PSL than in the IPL.
Bangladesh's star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is set to be seen in action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as he opted to withdraw from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Lahore Qalandars franchise has roped in the player through a direct contract.
The PSL franchise announced this direct signing on Thursday. Lahore Qalandars wrote on their official account, "Our Bangladeshi brother Mustafizur, who was selected in 2016 and 2018, is now our direct signing and is finally back in the family. Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar."
Nonetheless, this deal would mean a loss of around 77% less than what he would earn from the IPL contract. This excellent death bowler was signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for a staggering amount of ₹9.20 crores during the IPL mini-auction event held in December. He was also the only Bangladeshi player to be awarded a contract for the IPL 2026 season.