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The India-Bangladesh cricket relations have turned sour after the latter’s prominent pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 squad after receiving the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) directive. As Mustafizur lost out on a Rs 9.2 crore contract, Bangladesh wrote a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) requesting to shift their T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India. Bangladesh government’s interference did not end there as it has issued a notice to suspend IPL broadcast in the country for an indefinite period.
“In view of the above subject, it is being informed that it has come to our attention that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed 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 March 26, 2026. No logical reason is known for such a decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and such a decision has saddened, hurt, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” the government’s letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting read.
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“Under these circumstances, until further notice, it is requested as per instructions to stop the broadcast/telecast of all matches and programs of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“This order is issued in the public interest with the approval of the appropriate authority.”
BCB director wants hybrid model for IND-BAN matches
On January 4, BCB director Faruque Ahmed in an exclusive interaction with India Today, said the government directed the board to refuse playing their T20 World Cup 2026 matches on Indian soil. He expressed security reasons behind refusal to send the Bangladesh team to India. He wants hybrid model to be followed for India-Bangladesh matches, similar to that of India-Pakistan matches which will be played in Sri Lanka.
‘Logistical nightmare’ awaits organisers
Earlier, a BCCI official had told PTI that shifting Bangladesh’s matches out of India will be a ‘logistical nightmare’. A final call will be taken by the ICC. Bangladesh are placed in Group C alongside West Indies, Italy, England and Nepal. They are scheduled to take on West Indies in their campaign opener on February 7.
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