Mustafizur Rahman row intensifies: Bangladesh players likely to lose major sponsorship ahead of T20 World Cup!

Cricket and politics are often called the same game in South Asia, but right now, the stakes feel higher than ever. What started as a boardroom decision in the IPL has spiraled into a full-blown diplomatic standoff, and now, even the equipment in players’ hands is becoming a point of contention.

Indian sports giant SG (Sanspareils Greenlands) has reportedly decided not to renew sponsorship deals with several top Bangladeshi cricketers, including captain Litton Das, Mominul Haque, and Yasir Ali Rabbi. While the players haven’t been officially served their “walking papers” yet, agents are already sounding the alarm. For guys like Litton, who has long used custom-made SG blades, this isn’t just about the money, it’s about the tools of their trade.

How did we get here?

It feels like a domino effect that nobody can stop:

The IPL Spark: It all kicked off when the BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his Rs 9.20 crore contract.

The BCB’s Retaliation: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) fired back by withholding Mustafizur’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) and taking the extreme step of asking the ICC to move their T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India.

The World Cup Standoff: The BCB cited safety concerns, requesting a move to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has already rejected this plea, reportedly telling the BCB that they must travel to India or risk forfeiting their points.

The equipment crisis

With SG pulling back, there’s a real fear in the Bangladesh camp that other Indian manufacturers might follow suit. India is a primary supplier of top-tier cricket gear for the region. If more brands cut ties, Bangladeshi players might have to scramble for new sponsors just weeks before the World Cup begins on February 7.

What’s next for the Bangladesh?

As it stands, Bangladesh is still scheduled to play its Group C matches in the “lion’s den” of Kolkata and Mumbai:

Whether the team actually boards the plane to India remains the million-dollar question. For now, the “Cutter Master” Mustafizur is heading to the PSL, while his teammates are left wondering whose logo will be on their bats come February.