The move came after Bangladesh’s star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL squad on the directions of the BCCI.
Published January 5, 2026
Bangladesh’s interim government has banned the broadcast of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). The league is the latest flashpoint in a growing dispute with neighboring India, which has now extended to cricket relations between the two countries.
The move follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s decision to sack Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who Kolkata Knight Riders had signed with the IPL franchise this season.
The unceremonious dismissal of a “star player” like Mustafizur from the IPL “defies logic” and “hurt people,” the country’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry said in a statement explaining the decision.
Bangladesh has also refused to host next month’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup matches in India, demanding that the matches be held in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the 20-team tournament.
Bangladesh Cricket Board directors held an emergency meeting on Sunday and confirmed the decision shortly after.
“After a thorough assessment of the current situation, given the growing concerns for the safety and security of the Bangladeshi delegation in India, and taking into account advice from the Government of Bangladesh, the Board has resolved that the Bangladeshi national team will not travel to India for the tournament in the current circumstances,” it said in a statement.
“The board believes that such measures are necessary to protect the safety and health of Bangladeshi players, team officials, board members and other stakeholders, and to enable the team to participate in the tournament in a safe and suitable environment,” the statement added, urging the ICC to take swift action.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not publicly responded to Bangladesh’s request to play World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
Tensions have been rising between India and Bangladesh in recent weeks.
Following the protests, the Indian board of directors asked Knight Rider to drop Mustafizur.
IPL, the richest T20 league in the world, is scheduled to be played from March 26 to May 31.
