Mustafizur gets green light for final three IPL games

Mustafizur Rahman has officially been cleared to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) granted him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on 16 May. The left-arm pacer, signed recently by Delhi Capitals as a replacement for the injured Jake Fraser-McGurk, will be available for the franchise's final three league matches—boosting their hopes of reaching the play-offs.

Although there had initially been uncertainty over his availability due to Bangladesh's T20I series against the United Arab Emirates, the BCB has now confirmed that Mustafizur will play only the first of the two scheduled matches, on 17 May, before flying to India. He will miss the second fixture on 19 May.

This decision allows Delhi Capitals to field Mustafizur in all three of their remaining league matches, against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Punjab Kings—encounters that are crucial for their push into the top four. As of now, Delhi sit fifth on the table with 13 points from 11 matches, having won six.

The IPL's brief suspension following regional tensions had disrupted several teams' plans, with many overseas players choosing not to return. Mitchell Starc, who had featured regularly for Delhi, opted out of the resumed competition, leaving the side in need of a dependable overseas fast bowler. Mustafizur, who was signed for a record INR 6 crore, now looks set to fill that void.

Mustafizur's return to Delhi marks a continuation of his previous stints with the franchise, having played eight matches in 2022 and two in 2023. Although he went unsold in the 2025 auction, Delhi turned to him following McGurk's injury—and the much-anticipated NOC has now made the move official