The Bangladesh government has ordered an indefinite ban on the broadcast and promotion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament following the controversy surrounding the exclusion of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad.
In an official statement issued on January 5, authorities confirmed that all broadcasts, promotions and event coverage related to the IPL have been suspended with immediate effect and will remain so until further orders.
The statement said that the decision was taken in the ‘public interest’ and was approved by the competent authority.
The order was issued in accordance with the IPL’s decision to release Mustafizur from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad ahead of the new season.
According to Bangladeshi authorities, the move was notified as an instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and was said to have ‘no rational basis’.
“There is no rational basis for this decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and this decision has left the people of Bangladesh worried, shocked and angry,” the government order said.
It reflects the strong public sentiment that has built up around the issue.
As a result, the government has been forced to suspend all IPL-related broadcasts and promotions across Bangladesh, the statement said.
“A request has been made to stop the promotion/broadcasting of all games and events of the Indian Premier League until further orders,” the statement added.
This impact has exceeded broadcasting limits.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has decided not to send its national team to India for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, citing security concerns and government advice.
The decision comes after Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman on the advice of the Indian Cricket Board.
Mustafizur’s sudden exit from the IPL prompted the Bangladesh Cricket Board to call an emergency meeting on Saturday night.
Following a board meeting on Sunday, it was unanimously decided that the national team will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on February 7.
“The board reviewed the situation in detail in light of the developments over the past 24 hours and expressed serious concerns about the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh national team in the upcoming matches in India,” the Bangladesh Cricket Board said in a statement.
“After a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns about the security of the Bangladesh team in India and taking into account the advice of the Bangladesh government, the Board of Directors has decided that the Bangladesh national team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current circumstances,” it said.
After the meeting, Bangladesh Cricket Director Khalid Masood Pilot briefed the Board of Directors on the concerns.
“If they (India) cannot provide security to one of our players, how can they ensure the security of our entire team? That is why we will not travel to India to play,” he said, referring to Mustafizur’s situation.
The International Cricket Council is expected to resolve the issue, and Bangladesh are scheduled to play all four of their league matches in India under the current tournament plan.
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