Bangladesh Suspends IPL Telecast Amid Mustafizur Rahman Controversy

The Bangladesh government has ordered the suspension of the broadcast of all Indian Premier League (IPL) matches following the exclusion of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the tournament. The move comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Rahman’s release from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, triggering widespread outrage in Bangladesh.

In an official statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the decision had caused “pain, distress, and anger” among the public, prompting an immediate suspension of IPL telecasts until further notice. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also convened an emergency meeting and approached the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking relocation of Bangladesh’s matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup from India due to security concerns.

A former BCCI official, however, downplayed the impact, saying the decision was a “natural reaction” but unlikely to affect India or the IPL in any significant way. The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.