For Bangladeshi cricketers, the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) has felt like an invisible wall in recent years. Even when their names appear in the auction list, they often go unsold — a familiar scenario for stars like Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. And even if they do get picked, there remains uncertainty over whether they will be allowed to play the full season. Amid all this, Mustafizur Rahman seems to have sent out a strong message ahead of the mini-auction by boosting his own value with impressive performances.
নিলামের আগে ডট-বোলের দাপট দেখিয়ে দর হাঁকাচ্ছেন এই ক্রিকেটার
This time, though, the story looks a bit different. Right before the auction, Mustafizur has been showcasing glimpses of his old magic in the ILT20, held in Saudi Arabia. Playing for the Delhi Capitals’ franchise team, he has taken four wickets in two matches and has become the centre of discussion for his exceptional dot-ball bowling.
In the opening match against the Gulf Giants, Mustafizur announced his return to rhythm — delivering four overs for just 26 runs and picking up two wickets. The highlight: 13 dot balls. In the next match, against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, his cutters and variations looked even sharper. He took two wickets again, conceding 22 runs in three overs, along with 11 dot balls.
In total, across 42 balls bowled in two matches, 24 deliveries resulted in no runs — an outstanding statistic for any bowler in T20 cricket.
Beyond dot balls, another major strength of Mustafizur is his ability to bowl effectively in both the powerplay and death overs. His cutters, deceptive slower balls, and wicket-targeting lines all seem to have returned to their best. As a result, many believe several IPL franchises will be keeping a close eye on him.
However, one question still remains: Will he be allowed to play the full IPL season? Historically, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has scheduled international series during almost every IPL season. Additionally, players often receive NOCs only for limited periods. Because of this, franchises hesitate to invest in Bangladeshi players. If a similar situation arises this year, Mustafizur and Shakib could once again find themselves at a disadvantage.