In an unprecedented escalation of sporting and diplomatic tensions, the Bangladesh government has slapped an indefinite ban on the Indian Premier League (IPL) and pulled its national team out of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India.
The drastic “public interest” order, issued on January 5, follows the controversial removal of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad—a move Dhaka claims was a direct, “illogical” instruction from the BCCI.
The Crackdown: No IPL on Bangladesh Soil
The Ministry’s directive effective immediately suspends all:
- Live Broadcasts: All IPL matches are blocked from local television.
- Promotional Activities: Advertising and event coverage related to the league are prohibited.
- Digital Coverage: A total media blackout on IPL-related content until further notice.
The government stated the decision of the Indian Board “distressed, shocked, and angered” the Bangladeshi people, leaving authorities with no choice but to act against the “illogical” snub of their national icon.
The Ultimate Boycott: No World Cup in India
Taking the retaliation a step further, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that the national team will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup, which kicks off on February 7.
Following an emergency board meeting, officials cited grave security concerns and government advice as the primary reasons for the withdrawal.
“If they (India) cannot provide security to one of our players, how will they ensure the security of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play,” stated BCB Director Khaled Mashud Pilot, referring to Mustafizur’s abrupt exit.
Crisis for the ICC
The boycott throws the 2026 T20 World Cup into a state of chaos. Under the current schedule, Bangladesh is slated to play all four of its league matches on Indian soil.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is now expected to hold emergency talks to prevent a total collapse of the tournament’s group stage.