Mustafizur Rahman and IPL trophy [Source: AFP]The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken an important step ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). Earlier this year, Bangladesh banned the streaming and telecast of the IPL in the country. This decision came after a controversy involving Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman.For those unaware, the ban was introduced after the Board of Control for Cricket in India asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the 2026 season without giving a clear reason.KKR released Mustafizur Rahman from their squadIt is important to note that Mustafizur was picked by KKR for a large amount of ₹9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini auction. Therefore, the decision to release him created disappointment and concern in Bangladesh cricket.After KKR released Mustafizur, Bangladesh Cricket Board responded by banning the broadcast of the IPL in the country. Subsequently, the situation became more serious, and Bangladesh also refused to play their matches in India for the 2026 T20 World Cup.This decision came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the schedule for the tournament, which is being hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh requested a change in venue; however, the ICC was not able to accept the request. As a result, Bangladesh were eventually replaced by Scotland for the tournament.Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB vs SRH Prediction, Match 1- Who Will Win Today?Bangladesh Cricket Board lifts ban before IPL 2026Now, the situation has changed. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has lifted the ban and allowed IPL broadcasts again. Ahead of the IPL, Bangladesh removed the broadcast restriction and permitted telecast.This major decision came after the newly appointed information and broadcasting minister, Zahir Uddin Swapan, stated that there is no restriction on telecasting the upcoming IPL in BangladeshEarlier, Aminul Haque, the state minister for youth and sports, had said that discussions would take place with the concerned authorities regarding the IPL broadcast after it was banned by the previous interim government.Bangladesh official reacts to IPL telecast ban"No one applied to us to telecast the IPL. We don't want to mix politics with sport. We will look at it from a commercial perspective, and if any channel applies to telecast the IPL, we will consider it positively," Swapan was quoted as saying by Deutsche Welle.When asked whether Star Sports can telecast the IPL, Swapan indicated that it could."We will not bar anyone from telecasting it. If Star Sports want to telecast it, they can. If any of our channels want to telecast it, we will take it positively, but we will not force anything," he said.The Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh's office secretary, Rezaul Karim Lablu, also shared a similar view. "If Star Sports telecast the IPL in Bangladesh, they can do it because no one has asked us to stop it," Lablu said.Meanwhile, IPL 2026 will begin on Saturday, March 28. On the opening day, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Also Read: Bangladesh Cricket Board Crumbles As Official Resigns After Fresh Changes
