Dhaka, Jan 6: Bangladesh has barred the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL), deepening an already strained relationship with India and pushing the diplomatic standoff into the realm of international cricket.
The decision, taken by the country’s interim government, comes amid rising political and sporting frictions and follows developments involving Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently asked IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to drop the left-arm pacer from their squad for the upcoming season, a move that triggered strong reactions in Dhaka.
In a statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting criticised the exclusion of Mustafizur, calling it illogical and hurtful, particularly given his stature as one of the country’s leading cricketers. Soon after, authorities moved to block the telecast of the IPL, one of the most-watched sporting events in the region.
The dispute has also spilled over into preparations for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup. Bangladesh has informed cricket’s global governing body that it will not play its scheduled matches in India, citing security concerns. Instead, Dhaka has requested that its fixtures be shifted to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed the stance after holding an emergency meeting, saying the decision was taken after assessing the prevailing situation and acting on advice from the government. The board said the safety and wellbeing of players, officials and associated personnel could not be compromised under current conditions.
The International Cricket Council has yet to issue a public response to Bangladesh’s request for a venue change.
The IPL is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 31 and is widely regarded as the world’s most lucrative T20 league. With cricket often seen as a bridge between South Asian neighbours, Bangladesh’s latest moves underscore how rapidly political tensions can disrupt sporting ties in the region.
