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Bangladesh bans IPL 2026 broadcast after BCCI pulls Mustafizur Rahman

The Bangladesh government has ordered a nationwide ban on the broadcast of IPL 2026, responding to the BCCI’s decision to remove fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman...

Jan 6
3 min read
Bangladesh bans IPL 2026 broadcast after BCCI pulls Mustafizur Rahman

The Bangladesh government has ordered a nationwide ban on the broadcast of IPL 2026, responding to the BCCI’s decision to remove fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the tournament. The move, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, marks the first time Bangladesh has blocked the telecast of an international cricket tournament.

Officials said the action was taken “in public interest”, after no explanation was provided for Mustafizur’s exclusion, a development the ministry said had “caused distress among the people of Bangladesh.”

The official order

In a statement signed by Assistant Secretary Firoz Khan, the ministry said it had “noted that no reason was communicated” for the player’s removal and that the decision to stop telecasts was based on public interest.

TV channels and digital platforms in Bangladesh have carried the IPL since 2008. The 2026 season will be the first to be blacked out in the country.

How Mustafizur was dropped

On Saturday, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) confirmed that they had released Mustafizur Rahman after receiving instructions from the BCCI.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the move was due to “recent developments” and did not elaborate.

In the days leading up to the decision, Indian spiritual and political leaders publicly criticised KKR and owner Shah Rukh Khan for including a Bangladeshi player amid reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Bilateral ties have since deteriorated, according to officials in both countries.

Government voices in Dhaka

  • Dr Asif Nazrul, sports adviser to the Bangladesh government, said publicly that the IPL should not be shown in the country.

  • Information adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan later said any such step would be taken after reviewing the legal basis and procedures.

  • By Sunday evening, the broadcast ban was confirmed.

Separately, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has written to the ICC seeking the relocation of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches from India, potentially to Sri Lanka, the other host. The BCB has also sought an explanation from the BCCI over Mustafizur’s withdrawal.

Wider implications for cricket and diplomacy

Public sentiment: The government cited public distress as a reason for action, reflecting the bowler’s popularity at home.
Broadcast and business: The blackout affects advertisers, broadcasters and digital platforms, cutting off one of the region’s biggest sporting properties.
International relations: The decision escalates a sports dispute into a state-level response, adding strain to India-Bangladesh ties.
Tournament operations: With Bangladesh also asking the ICC to move its T20 World Cup fixtures, pressure is building on cricket’s governing bodies to manage a growing diplomatic rift.

Mustafizur’s IPL legacy and Bangladesh in the league

Mustafizur Rahman has been an IPL regular since 2016 and was the only Bangladeshi player picked for the 2026 season. Along with Shakib Al Hasan, he is among the most successful Bangladeshi imports in the league, both having won IPL titles.

Other Bangladesh players who have featured over the years include Abdur Razzak (RCB), Mohammad Ashraful (MI), Mashrafe Mortaza (KKR), Tamim Iqbal (Pune Warriors India) and Litton Das (KKR).

While players from Pakistan have effectively been absent from the IPL for years, Bangladesh players have continued to participate, making Mustafizur’s removal particularly sensitive in Dhaka.

What the ban means for fans

For the 2026 season, which begins on March 26, viewers in Bangladesh will not have access to IPL matches via television or streaming services. The government has not indicated any exemptions.

Key decisions and actions

  • Bangladesh government bans IPL 2026 telecast nationwide

  • BCCI instructs KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman without a public explanation

  • BCB petitions the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches from India