Bangladesh Government Halts IPL Broadcast Amid Mustafizur Rahman Controversy

Suspension of IPL Broadcast in Bangladesh

Dhaka: The government of Bangladesh has mandated the suspension of all broadcasts related to the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, following the controversy involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman.

This decision was prompted by Rahman's release from the IPL, which was directed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), leading to significant debate and backlash within Bangladesh.

A former official from the BCCI commented that the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) reaction was expected. He stated, "Every action has a reaction. The BCB is simply acting within its rights. There has been distress, so a response is natural." However, he noted that this decision is unlikely to impact India or the IPL.

A statement from Bangladesh's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting indicated, "It has come to our attention that the BCCI has excluded Mr. Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL, which is set to begin on March 26, 2026. The rationale behind this decision remains unclear, causing significant distress and anger among the Bangladeshi populace."

The statement further declared, "In light of these developments, all broadcasts of IPL matches and related content are hereby suspended until further notice."

In response to Rahman's exclusion, the BCB held an emergency meeting and has reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request the relocation of Bangladesh's matches in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from India, citing concerns over safety and security.

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches planned across various venues in both nations.