New DelhiIn response to the Indian Premier League's departure for the next season, the Bangladeshi government has banned its promotion and broadcasting for an indefinite period.
On January 5, the Bangladeshi government confirmed the decision in a statement. According to Bangladesh's Information and Broadcasting, the telecast and related programs have been suspended with immediate effect until further orders.
Due to the ongoing events in Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ordered the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
"The people of Bangladesh have been deeply hurt, saddened, and incensed by the BCCI's decision to exclude Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming IPL, which is set to start on March 26. According to a statement from Bangladesh's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, "all IPL matches and related programs will remain suspended from broadcast/telecast in Bangladesh until further notice."
KKR was told by the BCCI to release Mustafizur.On Saturday, January 3, Mustafizur was released by the 2024 IPL champions KKR per the BCCI's directives. "Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that Mustafizur Rahman will be released from the team prior to the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, as directed by BCCI/IPL, the IPL's regulator.
"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India," KKR said in a statement.
Mustafizur's release from KKR was requested by the BCCI, according to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. "The BCCI has requested that Mustafizur Rahman be removed from the Kolkata Knight Riders' roster. If necessary, they can request a replacement. Additionally, the BCCI will permit a substitute player upon request," Saikia told PTI.
The BCCI stated that the action was prompted by what has been going on everywhere, even though it did not specifically mention the current political climate in its decision to request Rahman's release. Since Hasina's removal, Hindus have been the target of violent attacks.
Bangladesh declines to attend the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.In the meantime, the Bangladeshi government has declined to allow their team to participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India. Four games—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai—were planned for the Bangla Tigers while they were in India.
Following extensive deliberation, the BCB declared in a statement that, for security reasons, they would not permit their national team to travel to India for the World Cup. Additionally, they formally requested in a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that their World Cup matches be moved from India.
According to a statement from the BCB, "the Board of Directors decided that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions after a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government."
The BCB has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is the event authority, to think about moving all of Bangladesh's matches to a location outside of India in light of this ruling. The statement stated, "The Bangladesh Cricket Board anticipates the ICC's comprehension of the situation and an immediate response on this matter."