Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka

Dhaka, Jan 6: Bangladesh’s interim government has banned the broadcast of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), marking a fresh flashpoint in escalating tensions with neighbouring India that have now spilled over into cricketing ties.

The move comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who had been signed for the upcoming season.

In a statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the removal of a “star player” like Mustafizur from the IPL “defied logic” and had “hurt people”, prompting the decision to prohibit the league’s telecast in the country.

In another major development, Bangladesh has also refused to play its matches in next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in India, demanding that its fixtures be shifted to Sri Lanka, the co-host of the 20-team tournament.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), following an emergency meeting of its directors on Sunday, confirmed the decision. “After assessing the prevailing situation and growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, and based on advice from the Bangladesh government, the board has resolved that the national team will not travel to India under the current conditions,” the BCB said.

The board added that the move was necessary to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of players, officials and other stakeholders, and urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take swift action to ensure a secure environment for participation.
The ICC has not yet publicly responded to Bangladesh’s request to relocate its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka.

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have risen in recent weeks, with cricket emerging as the latest arena of dispute. The IPL, the world’s richest T20 league, is scheduled to be held from March 26 to May 31.