Published: Jan 09, 2026, 01:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 09, 2026, 01:07 PM (IST)
Cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh are currently going through a very rough phase. Bangladesh has twice requested the ICC to shift its matches out of India in the T20 World Cup, which begins on the 7th of next month. However, the ICC has not yet made any decision on this matter. This controversy began when Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was forced to withdraw from IPL 2026 on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). There were reports that the BCCI had invited Mustafizur to play in IPL 2026. Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam Bulbul has now responded to this.
Hindu players in Bangladesh were being continuously targeted and murdered, sparking protests in India. Consequently, the BCCI directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Rahman.
This decision by the BCCI was also met with opposition in Bangladesh. First, the Bangladeshi government banned any broadcast of the IPL in the country. However, the BCB wrote to the International Cricket Council requesting that its T20 World Cup matches be moved out of India.
Meanwhile, reports appeared in the Bangladeshi media that the BCCI had offered Mustafizur a chance to return to the IPL in an effort to ease tensions between the two boards and normalize relations.
However, Aminul Islam Bulbul categorically stated that no such discussions had taken place between the two boards.
Azker newspaper quoted Bulbul as saying, “I have not had any verbal or written discussions with the BCCI regarding Mustafizur’s return to the IPL. I have not discussed this with my board either. There is no truth in this news.“
