Afraid of BCCI's action, will Bangladesh lift the ban on IPL? Minister expressed desire for better relations with India

New Delhi. The effect of the deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh was visible on the game and now efforts are being made by the neighboring country to improve it. A minister has indicated that the government may reconsider the ban on telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country. This ban was imposed in January this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 team. This step was taken after the ongoing protests in India regarding the Bangladeshi player. Due to the fear that BCCI may end cricket relations with Bangladesh, a decision can now be taken to lift the ban on telecast of IPL.

Minister of State for Youth and Sports Aminul Haq said on Sunday that he would discuss the issue with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after the Eid holidays. He said sports should not be 'politicized' and should not hamper 'friendly' relations with India. Haq said, “We have not thought about it yet. After the holidays, we will have to discuss with the cricket board and know the real situation. Only after knowing everything, we will take a decision.”

He further said, “We want to develop friendly relations with India. There should not be any other issue. Sports should not be politicized. We need to know why the telecast of IPL was stopped in Bangladesh, only then we can take any decision.”

IPL 2026 season is starting from 22 March. This tournament is very popular in Bangladesh. A large number of people follow KKR. Eden Gardens is not far from Dhaka and KKR has a history of Bangladeshi players, including Shakib Al Hasan. After KKR confirmed BCCI's decision, Bangladesh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting wrote letters to several media houses in the country. It said the decision has caused 'pain, pain and anger' to the people of Bangladesh. The ban on IPL telecast has been imposed in 'public interest'.

Mustafizur Rahman was signed for Rs 9 crore. He was the only player from Bangladesh in this IPL. The matter escalated so much that Bangladesh refused to travel to India and Sri Lanka for the 2026 T20 World Cup. After this Rehman has signed for a team of Pakistan Super League.