In tit-for-tat, Dhaka bans IPL telecast

Bangladesh has sharply escalated cricketing tensions with India by banning the broadcast of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), protesting the exit of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders roster.

- Haridev Pushparaj

The ban, ordered by Bangladesh's interim government, cites the absence of any "logical reasoning" from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for Rahman's release. A government notification said the decision had "saddened, hurt and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh", prompting an immediate halt to the telecast and broadcast of all IPL matches and related programming until further notice. The directive, signed by assistant secretary Feroz Khan, said it was issued "in the public interest" with the approval of competent authority.