File picture of Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman. | Photo credit: The Hindu
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been instructed by its sports ministry to seek to shift the country’s T20 league matches from India to Sri Lanka as there are “player safety concerns” after Mustafizur Rahman’s suspension from the IPL on BCCI’s instructions.
Shah Rukh Khan co-owned IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released the Bangladeshi left-arm pacer, who was bought for ₹9.20 crore after a bidding war at the auctions in Abu Dhabi last month, following the dictates of the BCCI.
BCB president and former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam Bulbul refrained from making any public comments after the crisis committee meeting following the development.
However, government adviser Asif Nazrul said he had directed the board to ask the Jay Shah-led ICC to shift Bangladesh’s four league matches – three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai – to Sri Lanka.
“As adviser in-charge of the Sports Ministry, I have directed the Cricket Control Committee to write up the matter and explain it to the ICC,” Mr Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.
“The committee must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite having a contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe traveling to India for the World Cup.”
“I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka,” he wrote further.
Bangladesh’s four league matches are against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9), England (February 14) in Kolkata, followed by their final match against Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.
However, a BCCI source insisted that a move is almost impossible as the tournament is just a month away.
“You can’t just change games based on someone’s whims and fancies. It’s a logistical nightmare. Think of the opposition teams. Their flights and hotels are booked.”
“Also on all days there are three matches each, which means one match is in Sri Lanka. The broadcast crew is there. So it’s easier said than done,” said a BCCI source.
India’s arch-enemy Pakistan is already playing its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as agreed months ago.
India-Bangladesh relations have fallen into disarray following the ouster of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last August following anti-government protests.
The tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia for her alleged role in a fatal strike during an agitation in which several students were killed.
Although the BCCI did not specifically cite the current political situation in its decision to request Rahman’s release, it said the move was prompted by what was happening all around.
Hindus have been the target of violent attacks since Hasina’s ouster.
Will IPL be suspended in Bangladesh?
Mr. Nazrul also said that he has asked the adviser of the Bangladesh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ensure the suspension of the IPL broadcast in Bangladesh.
“I have asked the Information and Broadcasting Advisor to ensure the suspension of the IPL broadcast in Bangladesh.
“Under no circumstances will we tolerate any insult to Bangladesh cricket, cricketers or Bangladesh itself. The days of serfdom are over,” he said.
There is some disbelief in the BCB corridors that things have taken such a turn after India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.
“BCB announced India’s Bangladesh tour schedule as there was a sense of positivity, but now we need to get an official confirmation from the Indian board as to why Mustafizur’s contract was cancelled,” a BCB source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
“So far BCCI has not officially communicated anything to BCB. Only after official communication will BCB decide on the next course of action,” said the source.
Published – 04 Jan 2026 08:51 IST
