Mustafiz becomes the fourth Bangladeshi cricketer to play for Kolkata in IPL

Dec 17, 2025
Sports

Photo: Mustafiz and Mashrafe (Collected)

Staff Report: PNN

Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has set a record among Bangladeshis in IPL history by being bought at the highest auction price. In this year’s IPL mini-auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) purchased him for ₹9.2 crore. Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza expressed his joy and excitement over this achievement.

On Tuesday (16 December), at the IPL 19th season mini-auction in the UAE, several franchises showed interest in Mustafiz, whose base price was ₹2 crore. Ultimately, Kolkata invested a large sum to secure him, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history. Previously, the highest-paid Bangladeshi in the IPL was Shakib Al Hasan, who was bought by KKR in 2021 for ₹3.2 crore. Mashrafe himself played for Kolkata in 2009 with a contract worth nearly ₹3 crore. Mustafiz had never previously fetched more than ₹2.2 crore in any season.

Mashrafe congratulated Mustafiz on social media, writing: “Mustafiz will play for Kolkata Knight Riders at ₹9.2 crore, which is about 12.37 crore in Bangladeshi Taka. Congratulations, Fizz. Considering his current form, this is no surprise. Hope he does wonderfully, Insha Allah.”

Cricket analysts say Mustafiz’s recent performances have been a key factor behind his price hike. Playing for Dubai Capitals in the international T20 league, he took six wickets in four matches, demonstrating consistency.

Mustafiz is now the fourth Bangladeshi cricketer to play for Kolkata Knight Riders, after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, and Liton Das. Overall, this will be Mustafiz’s sixth IPL franchise; he previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings.

In his IPL career so far, Mustafiz has taken 65 wickets in 60 matches, with an economy rate of 8.13. He made a strong impression in his debut season in 2016 by playing a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s title win. Since then, he has remained a sought-after player for IPL franchises.