The Bangladesh government has announced a ban on the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 across the country, citing public interest concerns following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s decision to withdraw Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the tournament.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said no explanation was communicated regarding Rahman’s exclusion, a move it said caused widespread disappointment among cricket fans in Bangladesh. The decision to halt the telecast was taken “in the public interest,” the ministry added. The statement was signed by Assistant Secretary Firoz Khan.
IPL matches have been televised in Bangladesh since the league’s inception in 2008, making this the first time Dhaka has barred the broadcast of an international cricket tournament. On Saturday, Kolkata Knight Riders, which had purchased Rahman at the IPL auction in December, released the player following directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Commenting on the development, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision stemmed from “recent developments,” without offering further details. In recent days, some Indian spiritual and political leaders had criticised KKR and its owner Shah Rukh Khan over Rahman’s inclusion, amid reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have remained tense. Dhaka had earlier approached the International Cricket Council seeking a change of venues for its T20 World Cup matches scheduled in India, though no decision has been taken. As per the current schedule, Bangladesh are set to face West Indies at Eden Gardens on February 7.
Earlier, Bangladesh government sports adviser Asif Nazrul had publicly stated that the IPL should not be broadcast in the country. Information adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan later said any move to stop the telecast would follow a review of legal provisions and procedures.
