Post-match press conferences in franchise leagues are usually routine affairs—discussions about pitch conditions, turning points in the match, and individual performances. However, a recent media interaction during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) took a sharp turn when veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi lost his cool. Following a match between Nabi’s Noakhali Express and the Dhaka Capitals, the seasoned cricketer visibly snapped when dragged into the highly sensitive and politically charged controversy surrounding Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman and his participation in the upcoming IPL 2026.
The atmosphere in the press room shifted dramatically when a local reporter directed a question at Nabi regarding his thoughts on the current situation facing Mustafizur.
Nabi, known for his calm demeanor on the field, was visibly irritated by the line of questioning. He immediately recognized that the topic—which involves complex cricketing boards and diplomatic relations between two other nations—had absolutely no relevance to him as an Afghan player or to the BPL match that had just concluded. Shutting down the reporter instantly, Nabi responded in Hindi, expressing his frustration at being pulled into matters outside his purview.
“Iska merese kya lena dena bhai? Mera Mustafizur se kya kaam hai? Politics me kya kaam hai mera? (What does this have to do with me, brother? What business do I have with Mustafizur),” Nabi retorted sharply.
He further clarified his stance, adding, “I know he is a good bowler, all these things. But the way you are questioning, it’s not related to me.”
Here’s the video:
🚨Afghanistan cricketer Mohammad Nabi silenced Bangladesh propaganda.😡
When questioned about Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL release, Nabi lost his temper and blasted the reporter for unnecessary comments.🥶 pic.twitter.com/7GSRzdOTk1— MuFFatLal Bohra (@arshdeep3444) January 12, 2026
The controversy around Bangladesh’s pacer
Notably, the cricketing world is currently abuzz with controversy surrounding the IPL 2026. The Bangladesh’s premier left-arm pacer secured a massive deal during the auction, bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a hefty INR 9.20 crore. However, following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), KKR released Mustafizur from the squad. The BCCI’s stance is rooted in current security concerns and strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. The situation has escalated to the point where the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally requested the ICC to shift their upcoming T20 World Cup matches out of India due to security fears. Though, the international cricket body has reportedly denied BCB’s request.
