Sports Desk:

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is set to join Delhi Capitals for the remainder of IPL 2025 after playing the opening T20I against the UAE in Sharjah on Friday.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had earlier granted Mustafizur’s appeal for participating in the IPL between May 18 and 24.

With his national duty in the first match fulfilled, the left-arm pacer will now miss the second and final T20I of the series on May 19 as he travels to India to join the IPL franchise.

Mustafizur was brought in by Delhi Capitals as a replacement for Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who left the tournament after it was temporarily suspended due to rising conflict between India-Pakistan.

The IPL resumes this weekend, and Delhi’s first match is against Gujarat Titans on Sunday (May 18).

It is Mustafizur’s third stint with Delhi, having previously represented them in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, taking nine wickets in total.

With Australian pacer Mitchell Starc confirming he will not return for the remainder of this IPL season, Mustafizur will be Delhi’s only overseas left-arm pace option.

Delhi have three crucial group-stage matches remaining.

Currently placed fifth on the points table with 13 points from 11 games, they are strong contenders for a playoff spot.

Winning all three of their remaining matches would secure them a place in the knockout stage without needing other results to go their way.

After playing matches in IPL, Mustafaizur is expected to join the Bangladesh team for Pakistan tour of five T20I matches.

However, the final decision regarding whether this tour will proceed rests with the Bangladesh government due to security concerns in Pakistan.