Cricket ties crumble as Bangladesh boycotts India over Mustafizur

Cricket relations between India and Bangladesh have hit an all-time low. On January 5, 2026, the Bangladesh government announced an immediate and indefinite ban on broadcasting or promoting the Indian Premier League (IPL). This drastic step follows the controversial removal of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) roster.

Official statements suggest the decision was made in the interest of the public. Authorities claim that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed KKR to release Mustafizur without providing a logical explanation. This move has sparked widespread anger and distress among fans in Bangladesh, leading to the telecast suspension across all platforms in the country.

The fallout has moved beyond just television screens. In an emergency meeting, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided that its national team will not travel to India for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on February 7. The board cited serious security concerns following the Mustafizur incident.

BCB Director Khaled Mashud Pilot expressed his frustrations, questioning how India could guarantee the safety of an entire team if they couldn't protect a single player. He confirmed that the decision was unanimous among the Board of Directors and followed direct advice from the government.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) now faces a major logistical challenge, as Bangladesh was scheduled to play all four of its league matches on Indian soil. While the BCCI has not officially linked the player's release to political tensions, the resulting boycott signals a deep rift in international cricket. Fans in Odisha and across India are watching closely as this diplomatic and sporting crisis unfolds just weeks before a major global tournament.