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The BCCI put an end to the escalating diplomatic conflict with Bangladesh as having “no real consequences”, even as the neighboring country imposed a ban on IPL 2026 and formally requested the ICC to move its upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches to Sri Lanka.
BCCI’s ‘Business as Usual’ stance on Bangladesh’s shocking decision
A former BCCI official downplayed the impact of the decision by the Bangladesh government and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), calling the reaction a natural outcome of recent developments. He also insisted that neither India nor IPL 2026 will suffer any real consequences.
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The recent event now threatens to strain cricket ties between India and Bangladesh and presents a new challenge for the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the scheduling of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to begin on February 7.
The former BCCI official was quoted as telling ANI, “For every action, there is a reaction. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is just doing what they believe is in their authority. ‘Takleef hui hai’ (they must have done wrong), so obviously there will be a reaction.”
The trigger: Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL elimination
Shocking exit of Bangladesh pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team just before the IPL 2026 season sparked controversy. The Indian Cricket Board had ordered KKR to release Mustafizur from the IPL 2026 squad due to political pressure, considering the current situation of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
After violent incidents and the killing of members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, Indian fans and politicians demanded a ban on Bangladeshi players in IPL 2026, forcing the BCCI and KKR to take harsh action, now seen as disrespectful by the BCB and the government.
Bangladesh’s two-pronged response
- Suspension of IPL broadcast: Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered all domestic broadcasters to suspend broadcasts of IPL 2026 matches indefinitely.
The ministry said in an official statement, “It is hereby informed that a directive issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been taken into consideration, according to which Bangladesh star cricketer Mr. Mustafizur Rahman has been excluded from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026.”
The order further states: “No reasonable justification for such a decision by the BCCI is known, and this decision has caused pain, distress and anger among the people of Bangladesh. Accordingly, the Government has declared that it is obliged to act. In these circumstances, until further directions are issued, it is hereby ordered that the broadcast/telecast of all matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and associated programs be suspended.”
- Venue Change Request for ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Following an emergency meeting, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) submitted a formal request to the ICC.
The BCB has requested the ICC to move Bangladesh’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India. However, the BCCI and its governing body are yet to react to the BCB’s request.
