The situation surrounding Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman's exclusion from the IPL is deepening. Bangladesh initially threatened to boycott the ongoing T20 World Cup in India. Now, the country is considering a significant step concerning the IPL. Currently, T Sports holds the broadcasting rights for the IPL in Bangladesh until 2027, following a deal with Viacom18 in 2023. Plans are now being made to suspend these broadcasts.
The controversy ignited when the Indian Cricket Control Board (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman. Subsequently, the Bangladesh government entered the fray, contemplating a ban on IPL 2026 broadcasts in the country.
Bangladesh considers blocking IPL 2026 broadcasts
Asif Nazrul, adviser on law, justice, and parliamentary affairs, urged Bangladesh's Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry via Facebook to halt all broadcasts of this lucrative Indian league, following what he sees as a BCCI-imposed restriction on Mustafizur.
To date, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not released an official statement on the matter.
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 sees Bangladesh scheduled to play in Kolkata and Mumbai. Their first match is set for February 7 at Eden Gardens against the West Indies. However, given the current tensions, the venue for these matches now poses significant questions.
