Bangladesh bans IPL broadcast after Mustafizur Rahman exclusion

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the directive on Monday, instructing all television channels and streaming platforms to stop airing IPL matches and related programming until further notice. The notification, signed by assistant secretary Firoz Khan, said the decision was taken "in public interest."

The ministry cited the Board of Control for Cricket in India's unexplained instruction to KKR to release Mustafizur as the trigger for the ban, stating that the move had "saddened, hurt and angered the people of Bangladesh." Mustafizur was released on Saturday despite being bought at the December auction, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia referring only to "recent developments" without offering further clarity.

The dispute has also spilled into international cricket. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked the ICC to relocate its T20 World Cup matches from India, citing concerns over player security and dignity. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata, starting against West Indies on February 7, in the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

This marks the first time Bangladesh has banned the broadcast of an international cricket competition. Since the IPL's inception in 2008, Bangladeshi players - including Mustafizur and Shakib Al Hasan - have regularly featured in the league. The 2026 IPL season is set to begin on March 26, but will not be shown in Bangladesh unless the ban is lifted.

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