Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered that the Indian Premier League not be broadcast in Bangladesh, following the exclusion of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the tournament.
The ministry issued a letter to the relevant broadcasters today (5 January), instructing them not to telecast the league.
The decision comes in the aftermath of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur’s removal from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The letter added that no reasonable explanation has been provided for the Indian cricket board’s decision, which has deeply hurt and angered the people of Bangladesh.
In view of the situation, the ministry instructed the chief executives of all relevant television channels in Bangladesh not to broadcast IPL matches and related programmes until further notice.
Bangladesh has also officially decided not to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, escalating the sporting standoff between the two countries to an unprecedented level.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul disclosed the major development yesterday, calling the move a necessary response to what he termed the “radical communal policy” of the Indian cricket authorities.
When asked about the matter, BCB Director Khaled Mashud Pilot told The Business Standard yesterday, “We have sent a letter to the ICC requesting that our match be moved from India to Sri Lanka.
“If they [India] cannot provide security to one of our players, how will they ensure the security of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play.”
Since Mustafizur was dropped by KKR following a directive of the BCCI, concerns over the safety of Bangladesh’s cricketers at the World Cup have come to the forefront.
The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on 7 February. Bangladesh was scheduled to face the West Indies in their opening match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Drawn in Group C, Bangladesh will also compete against defending champions England, Italy and Nepal.
While the schedule currently lists three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai, the BCB discussed a venue change to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. Ultimately, it decided to send a letter to the ICC requesting a change of venue.
Kolkata Knight Riders officially confirmed on 3 January that Mustafizur has been released from the squad ahead of the upcoming IPL, scheduled to be held from March to May this year.
KKR had secured Mustafizur’s services for Rs9.2 crore after an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at the players’ mini-auction held last month.
The franchise shared the update through a press statement, stating that the decision was taken following instructions from the IPL governing body, BCCI.
Mustafizur’s signing had earlier triggered sharp reactions from Hindu religious leaders and politicians in India, many of whom targeted KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan after the franchise acquired the Bangladeshi pacer amid tensions between India and Bangladesh.
– Input from TBS was used in this article.
