- Bangladesh government orders IPL broadcast blackout after KKR release Mustafizur Rahman
- Rahman was only Bangladesh player bought in latest IPL auction
- BCB asks ICC to move team’s T20 World Cup matches outside of India
The Bangladesh government has banned the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country amid tensions between the two countries.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also said the men’s national team will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup next month “under current conditions” and requested their matches be moved elsewhere.
The decision from the Bangladesh government to suspend IPL broadcasts in the country comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
The 30-year-old had played for Delhi Capitals in 2025 and was the only Bangladesh player bought in the IPL auction for the 2026 season, which starts on 26th March.
“Due to recent developments going on all across, the BCCI has instructed the franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad,” said BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
“They can ask for a replacement if needed. And upon request, BCCI will allow a replacement player.”
It comes as relations between neighbouring nations India and Bangladesh are strained.
Last month, a Hindu man was accused of blasphemy and beaten to death by a mob in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, an incident that sparked protests by Hindu nationalist groups in India.
Anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh has grown since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in 2024.
India has refused requests for her extradition, while violent protests have also erupted following the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader, in Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh has now ordered broadcasts of the IPL to be suspended, issuing letters to the state-owned network Bangladesh Television (BTV) and other relevant broadcasters.
“With reference to the above subject, it is hereby informed that it has come to notice that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has directed the exclusion of Bangladeshi cricketer Mr Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL), scheduled to commence on March 26, 2026,” the government order of Bangladesh said.
“No reasonable or justified explanation for such a decision by the Indian cricket board is known, and this decision has caused pain, distress and anger among the people of Bangladesh.”
The broadcast blackout in Bangladesh comes shortly after the BCB requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) move its team’s matches for the T20 World Cup, which gets underway on 7th February.
“The board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, board members and other stakeholders and to ensure that the team can participate in the tournament in a secure and appropriate environment,” said a statement from the BCB.
The tournament is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the latter staging all of Pakistan’s matches due to political unrest with India.
Last year’s IPL was suspended in May because of cross-border tensions between the countries, before resuming later that month.
Bangladesh are currently due to play all four of their group-stage matches at the T20 World Cup in India.
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