Bangladesh Government Bans IPL Broadcast Amid Cricketer Controversy
Bangladesh's IPL Broadcast Ban
On Monday, the interim administration in Bangladesh announced a ban on the broadcast of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This decision followed the Kolkata Knight Riders' recent removal of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from their roster, as reported by a local news outlet.
The Kolkata franchise had released Rahman on Saturday, just days before the tournament's commencement on March 26, following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
This move occurred against a backdrop of rising diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh, particularly after the tragic killing of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh last December.
A statement from the Bangladeshi Ministry of Information and Broadcasting indicated that the government's attention was drawn to the IPL's decision regarding Rahman. The release did not specify the reasons for his exclusion, but it noted that the action had caused significant distress among the Bangladeshi populace. Consequently, the government decided to prohibit the IPL broadcasts.
Mustafizur Rahman, who was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders during the players' auction on December 16, was the only Bangladeshi player to attract bids, amidst a pool of seven.
His selection had sparked controversy, with various political factions and religious leaders criticizing actor Shah Rukh Khan, a co-owner of the franchise, for signing the player.
Additionally, on Sunday, Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser, announced that the national cricket team would not participate in the 2026 Twenty20 World Cup in India, set to begin on February 7.
Nazrul expressed support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision, citing the violent communal policies of the Indian Cricket Board as a concern.
Khaled Mashud Pilot, director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, confirmed that a request had been sent to the International Cricket Council, asking for their match to be relocated from India to Sri Lanka.
He questioned how India could guarantee the safety of the entire Bangladeshi team if they could not ensure the security of one player. The ICC has yet to respond to this request.
India is co-hosting the World Cup alongside Sri Lanka, while Pakistan has opted out of playing in India.