Bangladesh Bans Broadcast of IPL Matches Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The decision follows the removal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders, triggering strong reactions in Dhaka.
Dhaka: The Bangladesh government has imposed a ban on the broadcast of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, citing diplomatic tensions and public sentiment following the removal of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad.
According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the decision was taken after considering the growing public anger and the broader diplomatic situation. The ban was announced on Monday by the country’s interim government.
The move comes days after KKR dropped Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, reportedly following directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Mustafizur’s removal has sparked widespread criticism in Bangladesh, with the government calling the decision disrespectful and politically motivated.
A Bangladeshi minister questioned India’s ability to ensure the safety of foreign players, saying that if security could not be guaranteed for one Bangladeshi player, it raised concerns about the safety of an entire team.
The controversy is linked to diplomatic tensions that escalated after the killing of a Hindu citizen in Bangladesh in December, following which comments by India’s Ministry of External Affairs drew a strong response from Dhaka. Bangladesh has now described the BCCI’s decision as part of the same pattern of strained relations.
In an official statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information said, “The removal of Mustafizur Rahman has deeply hurt public sentiment. In view of this, the government has decided to suspend the broadcast of IPL matches for now.”
Adding to the developments, Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul announced on Sunday that the Bangladesh cricket team will not tour India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. He said Bangladeshi players would not be safe in what he described as a biased environment created by the BCCI.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Khaled Mashud Pilot also said that the board has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.
While Pakistan has already decided not to play its matches in India, Bangladesh has now raised similar concerns. The ICC has not yet responded to Bangladesh’s request. The 2026 T20 World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Mustafizur Rahman, 30, was selected by KKR—owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan—during the player draft last month. He was the only Bangladeshi among seven players picked in the auction. However, he was dropped from the squad just days later, a move Bangladesh has described as the result of political pressure.
