Govt Signals Green Light for IPL Broadcast

The current government has softened its previous stance regarding the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Bangladesh. Information Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan has clearly stated that there is now no obstacle to broadcasting the IPL in the country. He made this statement in an interview with the German media outlet Deutsche Welle.

The Information Minister said that the government is positive about IPL broadcasting. He stated, “No one has approached us with an application to broadcast the IPL. We do not want to do politics over sports. If any channel applies to us to broadcast the IPL, we will consider it positively.”

He also confirmed that the government will not create any obstruction if the IPL is available to watch in Bangladesh through Star Sports. In the minister’s words, “We will not stop anyone. If it is available to watch, it can be watched. Nothing will be forced.”

Rezaul Karim Lovlu, office secretary of the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), said that the previous interim government’s ban on IPL broadcasting is no longer effective. He said, “If the IPL is available on Star Sports, then it can be watched. No one has asked us to keep it off.”

Meanwhile, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque also emphasized maintaining friendly relations with India. He commented that it is not appropriate to mix politics with sports. However, mentioning that the broadcasting rights of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have already been purchased assuming that IPL broadcasting would not be possible in the country, he said there is now little scope to reconsider.

Basically, under pressure and threats from extremists, citing security concerns, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) had instructed the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Following this, the previous government imposed a ban on IPL broadcasting in the country. At that time, a notice from the Ministry of Information stated, “There is no logical reason known for such a decision by the Indian cricket board, and such a decision has hurt, saddened, and angered the people of Bangladesh.”

After the Mustafiz issue, citing the same security concerns, the Bangladesh team also did not participate in the T20 World Cup held in India.