Will Mustafizur Rahman Make Up for IPL Loss in Pakistan? A Look at the Financial Setback

After being excluded from the IPL 2026 season, Bangladesh’s fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has decided to pursue his career in Pakistan, registering himself for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. This decision comes after his IPL exclusion by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which followed a controversy surrounding his participation due to the ongoing political tensions between India and Bangladesh.

Mustafizur Rahman Registers for PSL 2026

Rahman was initially bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a hefty ₹9.2 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, following the BCCI’s decision to bar him from participating in the league, Rahman has now opted to play in the PSL. The two leagues, IPL and PSL, overlap in terms of scheduling, which typically prevents a player from featuring in both tournaments simultaneously. As a result, Rahman had refrained from entering the PSL previously due to his IPL commitments.

Now, having registered for PSL 2026, Rahman will make his return to the league where he last played during the 2017/18 season. PSL’s social media channels announced his inclusion, with a hint of excitement: “Batsmen beware… a new era of fireworks is about to begin.”

The Financial Impact: A Significant Loss for Rahman

Unlike the IPL, the PSL does not conduct player auctions. Instead, it follows a draft system, with players categorized into Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Emerging categories. Each category has a fixed salary range. In PSL 2025, players in the Platinum category earned between ₹1.2 crore and ₹2.7 crore, depending on their profile and reputation.

However, the financial compensation in PSL is significantly lower than in the IPL. Even if Rahman is placed in the top-tier Platinum category and earns around ₹3 crore, it would still be just a third of his IPL salary. This marks a considerable financial setback for the Bangladesh pacer, as the IPL’s lucrative contracts remain unmatched in comparison to PSL’s offerings.

Rahman’s IPL Legacy

Mustafizur Rahman made his IPL debut in 2016 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, playing a crucial role in their title-winning campaign by taking 17 wickets in his first season. In his IPL career, Rahman has played 60 matches across different franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings, and has taken 65 wickets.

His exclusion from IPL 2026 is not only a blow to his earnings but also to his presence in the world’s premier T20 league. Nevertheless, Rahman’s inclusion in the PSL offers him a chance to remain competitive and relevant in the global T20 circuit.

As he shifts focus to the PSL, Rahman will be hoping for a strong performance that could lead to better opportunities, although the financial gap left by IPL remains substantial.