‘Something Is Seriously Wrong’: Moeen Ali Reacts to Mustafizur IPL Controversy

Moeen Ali, former all-rounder of the English national team, as well as former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricketer, voiced his concern about the cancelled contract of Mustafizur Rahman in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the wake of the controversy surrounding the issue. He stated that there are already numerous problems in the sport of cricket, adding that it seems the Mustafizur controversy is simply adding to that problem. Moeen Ali feels that it clearly seems something is amiss in the situation, which requires some sort of resolution to these problems, since it is not merely a concern for one cricketer. Other countries, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, are already exposed to many troubles, which requires the sport of cricket to be kept clear of politics if it is going to remain in good health.

Moeen expressed his grief, especially for Mustafizur Rahman. He said, "I feel the worst for Mustafizur. After years of hard work and outstanding performance, he finally got a big contract. He could have gone to any other team, but KKR chose him. Honestly, he's the one who suffered the most in this whole matter."

Moeen Ali did not condemn the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) decision to not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup and to suspend IPL broadcasts. He said this was a reaction to the BCCI's actions, which virtually excluded Bangladeshi players from the IPL.

Moeen clearly stated, "To be honest, I don't blame Bangladesh. But those who are dragging these issues into cricket are doing it very wrong and disgusting. Cricket is a different thing. People play and love it, especially in the subcontinent. People want to see their favorite players on the field. If Mustafizur had played for KKR, it would have been so wonderful for the people of Bangladesh. This is extremely disappointing not only for Bangladesh, but also for Bengalis living in India. The current situation is really bad."

Moeen further stated in his interview that these problems have been going on for a long time, but no one speaks out openly. Everyone sees them and ignores them. The same thing has been happening with Pakistan. The ICC never takes any action. This is the truth of cricket, but no one accepts it. He questioned whether big countries like Australia and England have no responsibility in this? They should speak out, but in today's world, everyone has their own agenda. Be it cricket or politics, this is happening everywhere, as long as one's work is going on, no one else is cared for.