Dhaka | January 5, 2026

Bangladesh has banned the broadcast of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season in a fresh retaliatory move, following the release of national fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract. The decision was announced on Monday, January 5, 2026, by the Bangladesh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

In an official notification, the ministry said no “logical reason” was provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for instructing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Rahman from its 2026 squad. The statement said the decision had “saddened, hurt and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” prompting the government to halt the telecast of all IPL-related matches and programmes until further notice. The IPL season is scheduled to begin on March 26.

The order, signed by assistant secretary Feroz Khan, stated that the ban on IPL broadcasting was issued in the public interest and with approval from the competent authority. The notification emphasised that Bangladesh viewed the release of Rahman as unjustified and lacking transparency.

The broadcasting ban comes a day after Bangladesh declined to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup and formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift all its league-stage matches to Sri Lanka, which is a co-host of the tournament. These back-to-back decisions highlight a sharp escalation in tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

While announcing Rahman’s release, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had said the move was due to “developments all around,” without offering further details. The lack of clarity has drawn strong criticism from Bangladesh, where Rahman is regarded as one of the country’s most prominent cricketing figures.

Relations between India and Bangladesh have been under strain since the removal of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August last year following widespread anti-government protests. Hasina was later sentenced to death in absentia by a tribunal over her alleged role in a violent crackdown during the agitation, in which several students were killed.

The political upheaval has also been followed by reports of attacks on minority Hindu communities in Bangladesh, further complicating bilateral ties. Against this backdrop, the IPL broadcast ban is being seen not merely as a sports-related decision, but as part of a broader diplomatic standoff between the two nations.

 Bangladesh Blocks IPL Broadcast After Mustafizur Rahman’s Removal, India-Bangladesh Ties Hit Strain

Bangladesh has officially banned the broadcast of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season following the release of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ 2026 squad. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday, comes amid rising tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

According to the government notification, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not provide any “logical reason” for Rahman’s release. The move, the statement added, has “saddened, hurt, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” prompting the authorities to suspend the telecast of all IPL matches and related programming until further notice. The IPL is scheduled to begin on March 26.

The order, signed by Assistant Secretary Feroz Khan, emphasized that the ban was issued in public interest and with approval from the appropriate authorities. Officials in Dhaka stressed that Bangladesh viewed the release of Rahman as unfair and lacking transparency.

This development follows Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the T20 World Cup next month. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift all league matches to Sri Lanka, co-host of the tournament, highlighting a deepening diplomatic rift.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, while announcing Rahman’s release, cited “developments all around” as the reason without elaborating further, which drew criticism in Bangladesh, where Rahman enjoys immense popularity.

Tensions between the nations have been heightened since the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August 2025 following widespread protests. She was later sentenced to death in absentia over her alleged role in the crackdown that claimed several student lives. Reports of attacks on minority Hindu communities have further aggravated the situation.

In this backdrop, the ban on IPL broadcasts is being interpreted as more than a sporting dispute—it reflects a broader strain in India-Bangladesh relations.