Dhaka bans all IPL broadcast

11Staff Correspondent222
The Ministry of Information and Broad-casting has directed all television channels and digital platforms in Bangladesh to suspend the broadcast and transmission of all Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and related programmes until further notice.

The decision was taken in protest against the exclusion of Bangladeshi star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the upcoming IPL season.

The directive was issued through an official circular signed by Assistant Secretary Firoz Khan of the Ministry on Monday.

According to the circular, the matter has come to the government's attention that the KKR has excluded Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL team in accordance with the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of the IPL tournament scheduled to begin on March 26.

The ministry stated that no reasonable justification has been provided for such a decision. It further noted that the move has deeply hurt, saddened, and angered the people of Bangladesh.

"In respect of public sentiment and as a protest against this injustice," the circular said, "all television channels and digital platforms in Bangladesh are strictly requested to refrain from broadcasting or airing any IPL matches or related programmes until further instructions are issued."

Mustafizur was set to be the only Bangladeshi representative in this year's IPL. However, reports of his exclusion even before the tournament's commencement have sparked strong reactions within the country's cricketing community.

Because of the government's directive, all private sports television channels and online streaming platforms operating in Bangladesh will be required to halt IPL coverage with immediate effect.