Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders on the instructions of BCCI, about which it is being claimed in some viral posts that BCCI is considering reversing its decision. The President of Bangladesh Cricket Board replied on this. Let us tell you that after this the controversy is continuously increasing.

Relations between BCCI and BCB have deteriorated after Mustafizur Rahman was released from IPL. Soon after this, BCB called a meeting, in which it was decided that they would demand ICC to shift their T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka. However the ICC rejected it.

Some reports claimed that the decision to release Mustafizur Rahman came from the top level of BCCI and senior officials were not consulted about it. After this, it was said in many posts that BCCI may change its stand. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul has rejected reports that Mustafizur was offered to return for IPL 2026.

What did the BCB President tell?

According to Ajkar magazine, the BCB President said, “I have not had any written or verbal conversation with the BCCI regarding Mustafizur’s return to the IPL. I have not spoken to anyone on our board about this. There is no truth in this news.”

What is the whole controversy

Relations between India and Bangladesh are not very good after the coup in Bangladesh, meanwhile the video of the murder of 2 Hindu youths and crimes against minorities in Bangladesh has created anger among the people of India. Its impact reached cricket, KKR and team owner Shahrukh Khan started being criticized for buying Mustafizur Rahman. When the protests increased, BCCI directed KKR to release the Bangladeshi player.

After this Bangladesh banned the telecast of IPL in its country. Refused to come to India for T20 World Cup matches, demanded from ICC that their matches should be shifted to Sri Lanka. Let us tell you that Bangladesh has to play 3 out of 4 matches of the group stage in Kolkata, one match is fixed in Mumbai.

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal had talked about ending the current tension in cricket relations between India and Bangladesh through talks, after which Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director M Nazmul Islam mocked him by calling him an “Indian agent”. BCB and BCCI are at loggerheads for the last few days. On the instructions of BCCI, KKR had released Mustafizur Rahman from IPL, after which Bangladesh banned the telecast of IPL and has demanded from ICC that their T20 World Cup matches should be shifted to Sri Lanka as they do not want to go to India.

According to The Daily Star, Tamim had said, “Since I am not associated with the BCB, like any common man, I am also getting to know about it from the media only. But I am sure that people who are looking into these matters will have more information. I should not comment suddenly. However, I am saying that before taking any such decision, the interest of Bangladesh cricket, future and everything else should be considered. It would be better if something is resolved through talks. Nothing can happen.”

Tamim Iqbal had clearly said that 90 to 95 percent of the finance for Bangladesh cricket comes from ICC, hence think before making any statement in public because then it becomes difficult to retreat.

BCB director calls Tamim Iqbal ‘Indian agent’

Sharing a photo of Tamim Iqbal’s comment, the Bangladesh Cricket Board director mocked him by calling him an “Indian agent”. Now the cricket fans of their country are angry with this comment of BCB official, while many of Tamim’s teammates also expressed their anger on this.

Anger in Bangladesh against BCB official

Many players including Mominul Haq, Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam posted one after the other on social media protesting against the BCB director’s comment. Taskin wrote, “Cricket is the lifeblood of Bangladesh. A recent comment about a former national captain, who has made a huge contribution to the game, has upset many people.”

The Bangladesh fast bowler further said, “I feel that such comments against a former national cricketer are not in the interest of Bangladesh cricket. I hope that the concerned authorities will take this matter seriously and act more responsibly in the future.”

Mohammad Saifuddin shared the same post and objected to Nazmul’s comments about Tamim. Taijul Islam wrote, “I was surprised that BCB Director M Nazmul Islam made such a statement about former national captain Tamim Iqbal. It is against our cricket culture. I strongly oppose this comment. Making such public comments while holding a responsible post raises serious questions on the professionalism, ethics and conduct of the board officials.

BCB director should apologize

Taijul Islam further wrote, “I demand that the BCB director apologize publicly. His statement is completely wrong and insulting to the cricket community of the country.”

Cricket is not just a game, it is also the name of emotions and relationships, but when this game starts becoming a cause of conflict between countries, then the questions become bigger. These days, tension is clearly visible in the cricket relations between Bangladesh and India. The matter of exclusion of a player from IPL has now increased so much that IPL will no longer be telecast in Bangladesh. In such a situation, the question is whether BCCI can take some action against it?

The whole matter started with Mustafizur Rahman controversy

The controversy that started regarding Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is no longer limited to cricket only. The matter heated up when the Board of Control for Cricket in India i.e. BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from the team. Many people in Bangladesh have seen this decision as injustice to their player. Gradually this issue moved from the cricket board to the government and has become an issue between two countries.

Big deal between T Sports and Viacom18

The broadcasting rights of IPL in Bangladesh are currently with the sports channel T Sports. These rights were obtained under the deal signed with Viacom18 in 2023, which is valid till 2027. That means, legally, T Sports currently has full rights to show IPL. Despite this, now the news has come that the Bangladesh government has banned the telecast of IPL 2026.

Concern increased due to government’s entry

When Mustafizur Rahman’s case took a political turn, the Bangladesh government also became active. Some government advisors and leaders publicly said that if Bangladeshi players will be treated like this, then why should a tournament like IPL be telecast in the country.

Can BCCI stop this decision?

This is the biggest question. But the truth is that BCCI’s authority is limited to India. The broadcasting rights of IPL are different in every country under different broadcasters and local laws. If the Bangladesh government is banning the telecast of IPL in its country, then it is its local decision. BCCI can neither give orders to the government of any other country nor can it directly interfere in the broadcasting rules there.

ICC’s role is also limited

Many people are also asking whether ICC can interfere in this matter, but here also the situation is clear. ICC oversees the rules and tournaments of international cricket, while IPL is a domestic league. Broadcasting rights are entirely linked to contracts and business agreements. As long as there is no violation of any agreement, ICC does not have any special reason to intervene in it.

The way for legal battle opened

The Bangladesh government is putting an official ban on IPL broadcasting, so the next step could be legal. The agreement between T Sports and Viacom18 stipulates under what circumstances the broadcast can be stopped. If a ban is imposed without solid legal basis, the broadcaster can seek compensation or go to court. That means the matter is not only related to cricket, but also to deals worth crores and international business.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: Can BCCI get Bangladesh out of the World Cup, know what is the rule of ICC?