Bangladesh on Monday banned the broadcast of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), citing the ouster of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the league, in what officials described as another retaliatory move amid worsening ties with India.
The decision was announced by the Bangladesh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, a day after Dhaka refused to travel to India for next month’s T20 World Cup and asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift all its league matches to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host.
In a government notification, the ministry said no “logical reason” was provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) while instructing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Rahman from its 2026 roster.
“No logical reason for such a decision (Rahman's release) by the BCCI is known, and such a decision has saddened, hurt, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” the notification stated.
“In this situation, until further notice, it is requested by order to stop the broadcasting/telecasting of all matches and programs of the Indian Premier League (IPL),” it said.
Also read: Bangladesh not to send team to India for T20 WC
“This order is issued with the approval of the proper authority and in the public interest,” the notification added, signed by Assistant Secretary Feroz Khan.
The IPL is scheduled to begin on March 26.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, while announcing the decision to release Rahman, said it was due to “developments all around”, without elaborating on the specifics.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated in recent months following the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August last year after widespread anti-government protests.
Hasina was later sentenced to death in absentia by a tribunal for her alleged role in a deadly crackdown on the agitation, during which several students were killed.
Since her removal, reports of violent attacks targeting members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh have emerged, further straining bilateral relations.
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