Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser, has said the government is considering suspending Indian Premier League broadcasts following the controversial exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman.
Speaking at a forum organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum, Hasan said the decision to drop Mustafizur from Kolkata Knight Riders cannot be justified. “If the ban had been based on cricketing reasons, there would have been no issue. But the reasoning behind this decision is unacceptable, and we must respond,” she said.
She added that authorities are carefully examining the legal basis and procedural aspects before taking any action regarding IPL broadcasts. “We need to review the legal framework and processes before taking any steps. Only then will we decide on the appropriate response,” Hasan explained.
Hasan’s comments come after Kolkata Knight Riders removed Mustafizur from their squad, following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India due to ongoing India-Bangladesh tensions. The franchise also deleted all social media posts related to the pacer, further angering the Bangladeshi cricket community.
Her statement reflects a firm position from the Bangladeshi government, emphasising that any non-sporting exclusion of a national player is unacceptable. Hasan’s office is now reviewing options to protect Bangladesh’s interests in broadcasting and cricket diplomacy.
