Bangladesh Bans IPL Broadcast Amid Escalating Cricket Dispute with India
Bangladesh’s interim government has banned the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic and sporting tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi. The decision has turned cricket into the latest flashpoint in a rapidly deteriorating relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
The ban comes in direct response to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s decision to exclude Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, despite the pacer having already signed with the IPL franchise for the current season. The move sparked widespread criticism in Bangladesh, where Mustafizur is regarded as one of the country’s biggest cricketing stars.
In an official statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described Mustafizur’s removal as “illogical” and said the treatment of such a “star player” had deeply hurt public sentiment. The ministry cited these concerns while announcing the immediate ban on IPL broadcasts across the country.
The dispute has now extended beyond the IPL. Bangladesh has also refused to play its matches of next month’s ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup in India, insisting that its fixtures be shifted to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host. The decision raises serious logistical and political questions for the International Cricket Council (ICC), just weeks before the tournament is scheduled to begin.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) convened an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation. Following the meeting, the board officially confirmed that the national team would not travel to India under the current circumstances.
“Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the board of directors resolved that the Bangladesh national team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the BCB said in a statement.
The board emphasized that the decision was taken to protect the safety and wellbeing of Bangladeshi players, team officials, board members, and other stakeholders. It added that participating in the tournament would only be possible in an environment deemed secure and appropriate.
The BCB has urged the ICC to take swift action to resolve the issue and ensure that Bangladesh can participate in the World Cup without compromising player safety. As of now, neither the BCCI nor the ICC has issued a detailed response to Bangladesh’s demands.
The standoff threatens to disrupt major international cricket events and highlights how political and administrative disputes are increasingly spilling over into the sporting arena.
