IPL 2026 (Image: BCCI/ IPL) Bangladesh has signaled a major shift in its stance on broadcasting the Indian Premier League (IPL), with newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan confirming that there is no restriction on broadcasting the tournament in the country.This development comes in the wake of uncertainty surrounding IPL broadcasting following the ban imposed by the previous caretaker government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. An earlier directive prevented local channels and operators from telecasting the tournament, leaving fans without access to one of the world’s most popular T20 leagues.
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IPL 2026: Mukesh Kumar on Shami’s impact and India’s comeback plans However, the new administration appears to be taking a more flexible and commercially oriented approach. Speaking to Deutsche Welle, Swapan clarified that no broadcaster has formally applied for the telecast rights, but assured that any such request would be considered positively.“Nobody has approached us to telecast the IPL. We don’t want to mix politics with sports. We will look at it from a commercial perspective,” Swapan said.He further emphasized that the government will not impose restrictions on broadcasters, including international networks.“We will not stop anyone from airing it. If Star Sports wants to air it, they can. If any of our channels want to air it, we will take it positively but we will not force anything,” he added.The Bangladesh Cable Operators Association also supported the move. Authority Secretary Rezaul Karim Lablu confirmed that there are currently no guidelines in the country preventing IPL from being broadcast.“If Star Sports is telecasting the IPL in Bangladesh, they can do it because no one has asked us to stop it,” Lablu said.He further noted that the earlier directives issued by the interim government no longer have authority.“Those directives have no value now. If the current government asks us to stop it, we will do it, but there are none yet,” he added.
