Bangladesh bans IPL telecast in unprecedented move amid fallout over BCCI’s removal of Mustafizur Rahman

The fallout from the BCCI’s removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the next season of the Indian Premier League continued on Monday with Bangladesh banning the telecast of the world’s biggest T20 league with immediate effect. The decision follows the Bangladesh Cricket Board's refusal to send the senior men's team to India for the ICC T20 World Cup that gets underway next month.

Left-arm pacer Mustafizur had been picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL auction on 16 December, only to be released by the three-time champions upon BCCI's advice following protests in India.

The decision, however, sparked outrage in capital Dhaka and the rest of Bangladesh, with the BCB also revoking Mustafizur’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the IPL – meaning ‘Fizz’ will not feature in the 19th season later this year even if BCCI and KKR reverse their decision.

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In a statement released on Monday, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh slammed the BCCI for not providing a “rational decision” for Mustafizur’s removal, which in turn has “pained, saddened, and aggrieved” their citizens.

“In view of the subject, it is being informed that a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come to light regarding the exclusion of Bangladeshi star player Mr Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders team for the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, scheduled to be held from 26 March 2026. No rational reason for such a decision by the Indian Cricket Board is known, and such a decision has pained, saddened, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” read the statement.

“Under these circumstances, until further notice, a request is made as per instructions to stop the broadcast/telecast of all matches and programmes of the Indian Premier League (IPL).”

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“This order is issued with the approval of the proper authority and in the public interest,” it added.

Bangladesh's Information and Broadcasting Minister Syeda Rizwana Hasan had earlier accused BCCI of playing politics by abruptly ejecting ‘Fizz’ from the 19th IPL season without a proper explanation.

A similar statement had come from the country’s Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul, who insisted that he would “will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh” and that the “days of slavery are over”.

The Indian board, meanwhile, is currently discussing Bangladesh's refusal to travel to India for the T20 World Cup with the ICC, which is currently led by ex-BCCI secretary Jay Shah.