New Delhi:

Delhi Capitals have finalised a deal with Mustafizur Rahman to replace Jake Fraser-McGurk for the remainder of the 2025 Indian Premier League, the franchise announced on Wednesday.

IPL 2025 was temporarily suspended after escalation of military tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Australian top-order batter Fraser-McGurk has opted not to return for the tournament due to “personal reasons”.

Earlier, the tournament was scheduled to end on may 25 but now the final will be held on June 3, which has made the availability of foreign players doubtful.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced that the tournament will resume on May 17 and unveiled a new schedule of matches. A total of 17 matches will be played from May 17.

“Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, temporary replacement players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament,” the league said to the IPL teams in a communique, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Most of the overseas players left the country once the tournament was halted due to rise in military active between India and Pakistan. With reports not every player willing to return to play in the last leg, the BCCI has reassessed the replacement rules.

“This decision is subject to the condition that the temporary replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year. Temporary replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026.”

Mustafizur has earlier played in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings and will be Delhi’s third left-arm pace option after Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan.

Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur is an experienced campaigner with 61 wickets in 57 matches in the premier domestic T20 tournament. The left-armer has represented his country in 106 T20Is, claiming 132 wickets, and joins Delhi with a price tag of Rs 6 crore.

Delhi take on fellow top-four aspirants Gujarat Titans, Mumbai and Punjab Kings in their three remaining league stage fixtures.

Delgi are in contention for a spot in the playoffs and are currently fifth in the standings with 13 points from 11 fixtures, a point behind Mumbai who have played A game more.

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