– BCCI directives caused Mustafizur Rahman release.
– Bangladesh threatens T20 World Cup boycott.
– Ministry bans all Indian Premier League coverage.
The cricketing landscape has witnessed a dramatic geopolitical shift following the abrupt exclusion of premier Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rahman, famously known as ‘The Fizz,’ has officially registered for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, an announcement confirmed by the marquee league through its official social media channels, welcoming the star left-arm bowler into the competition’s eleventh edition. This high-profile transfer comes directly after a tumultuous exit from his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which is co-owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.
According to KKR, the decision to release Rahman from the squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season was made strictly upon directives issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the regulatory body of the tournament. The franchise’s official statement confirmed that the BCCI/IPL had instructed the release of the seasoned international player.
This unexpected development has triggered massive diplomatic and sporting friction between Dhaka and Delhi. The fallout was immediate and severe on multiple fronts. Within 48 hours of the KKR announcement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reacted sternly. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed in a public post that the BCB decided that the men’s national team would not travel to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing significant security concerns.
The BCB has also formally sought clarification from Indian authorities regarding the surprising and unexplained decision behind Rahman’s unexpected exit from the highly lucrative IPL. Furthermore, the conflict escalated to the governmental level. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Bangladesh announced the imposition of a complete ban on all coverage of the IPL within the country.
Assistant Secretary Firoz Khan signed a statement noting that no official reason was communicated for Rahman’s exclusion, a development that had “caused distress among the people of Bangladesh.” The Ministry confirmed the ban was taken “in public interest,” effectively cutting off the IPL’s massive viewership base in Bangladesh. Mustafizur Rahman, who boasts significant international experience across 15 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 126 T20Is, now joins the PSL roster, signaling a major victory for the Pakistani league amidst the escalating crisis spurred by the regulatory actions of the BCCI.