Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul has dismissed rumours about Mustafizur Rahman returning to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Notably, a certain section of the Bangladesh media reported the same. The left-arm quick was released from his IPL 2026 contract on instructions of the BCCI.

Mustafizur, who would have been the sole Bangladeshi representative in the IPL 2026, was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 9.2 crore in the mini-auction last month. However, as reports of atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh increased, there was growing demand of removing the pacer from the league.

On Saturday (January 3) morning, the BCCI instructed KKR to release Mustafizur and the franchise obliged to the board’s diktat within a few hours.

Amid the deteriorating As India–Bangladesh relations, multiple Bangladeshi media reports claimed that the BCCI had offered Mustafizur Rahman a return to the IPL in an effort to ease tensions between the boards.

“I haven’t had any written or verbal discussions (with the BCCI) regarding Mustafiz’s (return to the IPL). I haven’t spoken to anyone from my board about this. There is no truth to this news," Bulbul was quoted as saying by Ajker Patrika.

On Thursday, the BCB sent a second letter to the ICC, highlighting specific security concerns about travelling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 while reiterating its stance for a change of venue to Sri Lanka.

The marquee event is slated to get underway on February 7, and Bangladesh are scheduled to play their four group-stage matches in India (three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai). The BCB decided against sending its team to India after Mustafizur was released by KKR.

"Following discussions with sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, the BCB has once again sent a communication to the ICC. The ICC wanted to know areas of concern with regard to security, and the BCB has cited them," a source close to the cricket board told PTI on condition of anonymity.

However, the source did not share specifics of the letter. While the apex body has maintained silence so far, it has reportedly sought clarity on the exact nature of the security concerns raised by the Dhaka-based board.

ICC is expected to take a final call and convey it to the Bangladesh board on Saturday, January 10.