SRINAGAR: The Bangladesh government has announced an indefinite ban on the telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad.
Officials said the decision to drop Rahman, who was bought at the IPL auction for Rs 9.20 crore, lacked a rational basis and had hurt public sentiment in Bangladesh. The government said the move had “pained, saddened and aggrieved” the people of the country.
In an official statement, authorities said Rahman’s exclusion from the upcoming IPL season, scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026, had caused widespread disappointment. As a result, broadcasters have been directed to suspend the airing of all IPL matches and related programmes until further notice.
The statement highlighted Rahman’s stature as a key national sporting figure and criticised the BCCI’s decision as unjustified, saying the ban was imposed “in the public interest” to reflect the collective sentiment of the nation.
The decision has triggered strong reactions across Bangladesh, with fans and cricket analysts voicing frustration over the treatment of one of the country’s most prominent players.
