Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has &ldquo;requested&rdquo; Pakistan to play against India in the ICC T20 World Cup game on Feb. 15 for the benefit of the &ldquo;cricket ecosystem,&rdquo; said a statement by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Monday.&nbsp; According to the statement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) extended its appreciation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and all involved for their positive efforts to overcome recent challenges. In the statement, the BCB expressed its &ldquo;profound and heartfelt gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, his Board and the cricket fans of Pakistan.&rdquo; &ldquo;Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity&rdquo;, the statement added. BCB President Md Aminul Islam said, &ldquo;We are deeply moved by Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,&quot; he said. &ldquo;Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem,&rdquo; said Islam.

Cricket

'I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem,' said the Bangladesh Cricket Board president.

Bangladesh cricket board requests Pakistan to play India T20 World Cup match on Feb. 15 

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected accreditation applications from Bangladeshi journalists seeking to cover the upcoming ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7, triggering criticism and raising concerns over India&rsquo;s growing influence on global cricket administration.&nbsp;Bangladeshi media bodies and journalists say the decision is unprecedented and discriminatory, particularly given Bangladesh&rsquo;s long-standing participation in ICC events and decades of uninterrupted media coverage.&nbsp;Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Media Committee Chairman Amzad Hossain confirmed that between 130 and 150 Bangladeshi journalists had applied for accreditation, all of whom were rejected.&nbsp;&ldquo;This has never happened before,&rdquo; Hossain said. &ldquo;Bangladeshi journalists have consistently covered ICC tournaments, regardless of whether the national team was playing or not.&rdquo;&nbsp;Senior Bangladeshi sports journalist Mir Farid, who has previously held ICC accreditation, said he received an official email informing him that his application had been rejected.&nbsp;&ldquo;I have covered ICC events for years,&rdquo; Farid said. &ldquo;This sudden rejection, without explanation, is alarming and difficult to justify.&rdquo;&nbsp;Veteran journalist Arifur Rahman Babu, one of four Bangladeshi reporters who covered the 1996 ICC World Cup co-hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, said the move defies established ICC norms.&nbsp;&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t find any valid reason why all Bangladeshi journalists were rejected,&rdquo; Babu said. &ldquo;Even if a team is not participating, journalists from an ICC member or associate nation are still eligible for accreditation.&rdquo;&nbsp;Babu, who also serves as president of the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), said the decision appears politically motivated rather than procedural.&nbsp;&ldquo;This reflects poorly on the ICC&rsquo;s claims of neutrality,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;India&rsquo;s outsized control over cricket is increasingly visible, and this decision fits that troubling pattern.&rdquo;&nbsp;He added that the BSJA would consult with the Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) and the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Community (BSJC) to determine possible collective action.&nbsp;The accreditation rejection comes amid strained relations between Bangladesh and India. Earlier, Bangladesh refused to tour India citing security concerns linked to deteriorating political ties. The ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/scotland-replace-bangladesh-in-t20-world-cup-2026-after-icc-decision" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Scotland</a> in the tournament and rejected Bangladesh&rsquo;s request to shift their matches to co-host Sri Lanka.&nbsp;The Bangladesh Cricket Board&rsquo;s decision not to travel followed the release of national pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, a move widely seen in Dhaka as politically driven and influenced by India&rsquo;s cricket authorities.&nbsp;The ICC media department was contacted for comment on the accreditation issue but had not responded at the time of filing.&nbsp;Critics say the episode underscores how India&rsquo;s dominance within the ICC is narrowing space for dissenting voices, including independent journalists, and undermining the spirit of inclusivity the global game claims to uphold.

Bangladeshi cricket captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (C) talks to journalists upon his arrival with his teammates at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on July 7, 2019, after leaving the 2019 cricket World Cup. (AFP)

The International Cricket Council rejects accreditation for Bangladeshi journalists at the T20 World Cup, drawing criticism over political bias, India’s influence, and restrictions on media access.

T20 World Cup: India-linked pressure shadows ICC media ban on Bangladeshi journalists

DHAKA: A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced Dhaka&#39;s fugitive former police chief and two senior colleagues to be hanged for crimes against humanity committed during the rule of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;All three, including the capital&#39;s former police chief, Habibur Rahman, were tried in absentia, and their whereabouts are not known.&nbsp;The verdict comes ahead of elections on February 12, the first in the South Asian country of 170 million people since <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-prosecution-demands-death-penalty-for-expm-hasina" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hasina&#39;s</a> overthrow in August 2024.&nbsp;Five other ex-police officers were sentenced to varying terms.&nbsp;The case concerned the killing of six protesters in Dhaka on August 5, 2024, the day Hasina fled to India as <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-court-detains-army-officers-for-landmark-trial" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">protesters</a> stormed her palace.&nbsp;Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 when Hasina&#39;s government launched a brutal campaign to silence the protesters, according to the United Nations.&nbsp;&quot;The police forces opened fire with lethal weapons causing death to the aforesaid six persons,&quot; judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder read to the court in Dhaka.&nbsp;The court heard how Rahman sent messages to police units ordering the use of lethal force to crush the protests.&nbsp;Chief prosecutor Tajul Islam said he was satisfied with the verdict against the three men, although he wanted tougher sentences for the five others found guilty who were handed prison terms.&nbsp;&quot;The court said their crimes have been proved and they committed crimes against humanity,&quot; Islam told the reporters after the verdict.&nbsp;In November, the same court also sentenced Hasina who remains in hiding in India to death for crimes against humanity. She refused to attend the trial and denies the charges.&nbsp;In that case, former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death in absentia after being found guilty of crimes against humanity.&nbsp;Ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who was in court and had pleaded guilty, was sentenced to five years&#39; imprisonment.

Asia

A Bangladeshi court sentenced fugitive ex-Dhaka police chief Habibur Rahman and two colleagues to death for crimes against humanity over killing protesters in August 2024, ahead of February elections; five other officers received prison terms.

Bangladesh sentences ex-police chief to death for protest crackdown

<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday reaffirmed the country&rsquo;s commitment to a rule-based international order and collective global action, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation to address shared&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladeshs-economy-grows-by-450-in-q1-of-fy26-state-media" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">economic challenges</a><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported on Saturday.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&ldquo;As a responsible neighbor and an active member of the&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/european-union-deploys-56-longterm-observers-nationwide" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">United Nations</a><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;and other international bodies, Bangladesh advocates for a rule-based international order and collective action in addressing global economic challenges,&rdquo; Touhid said. &ldquo;We support active engagement to promote dialogue, confidence-building, and cooperative solutions to shared concerns.&rdquo;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the SAFA International Conference on &ldquo;Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Reporting&rdquo; in the city. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" id="isPasted">Engaged with multilateral institutions<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Touhid said Bangladesh remains actively engaged with multilateral institutions to promote stability, trust, and cooperative solutions.&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He noted that the &ldquo;convergence of ethical artificial intelligence and sustainability reporting is increasingly relevant as technological innovation transforms professions worldwide, while global emphasis grows on transparency, accountability and responsible governance.&rdquo;&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For Bangladesh, the integration of technology and sustainability is crucial to sustaining economic growth and strengthening global integration, he said, adding that professionals must remain not only technically capable but also ethically grounded and socially responsible.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Touhid said platforms such as the SAFA conference provide important opportunities for knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration among professionals across South Asia and beyond.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Integrity and innovation <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He expressed encouragement that the conference brought together experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from the region and other parts of the world, saying their discussions would help guide the next generation of professionals by balancing integrity, accountability, and innovation, the BSS reported.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Experts at the conference said the global accounting profession is entering a new phase as ethical artificial intelligence and sustainability reporting begin to converge, reshaping business risk, investor expectations, and public trust.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh, the conference featured three technical sessions and a valedictory session.&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Delegates from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the event.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain addressing the inaugural session of the SAFA International Conference in the city (Bangladesh Foreign Ministery)

Bangladesh

Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, reaffirms Bangladesh’s commitment to a rule-based international order and collective global action, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation to address shared economic challenges, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported on Saturday.

Bangladesh backs rule-based global economic cooperation: Foreign adviser

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s interim government has asserted its full preparedness for the upcoming national elections, even as questions over India&rsquo;s role and regional diplomacy dominate public debate ahead of the high-stakes polls. Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, said the administration has taken extensive measures to ensure elections are free, fair, peaceful, and credible. Nearly one million security personnel will be deployed nationwide, vulnerable polling stations have been identified, and around 90 percent of voting centres are now connected to a digital monitoring app to ensure transparency. Alam expressed confidence that high voter turnout would reflect growing public trust in the interim setup. On Indian interference, Alam pushed back strongly, accusing sections of Indian media of spreading misinformation. He emphasized that the interim government has no political affiliations and is solely focused on conducting neutral elections, contrasting the process with polls held during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s tenure, which he described as deeply flawed and restrictive. According to Alam, international scrutiny and public expectations have made electoral credibility a top priority for Dhaka. On Bangladesh-India relations, Alam stressed the need for ties based on mutual respect and equity. He said Bangladesh seeks balanced foreign relations while expanding trade, enhancing regional connectivity, and reviving South Asian cooperation under SAARC. Alam also highlighted warming Bangladesh-Pakistan ties, noting a significant rise in bilateral trade and the expected resumption of direct flights, which he said could further boost people-to-people contact and economic cooperation.

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, said the administration has taken extensive measures to ensure elections are free, fair, peaceful, and credible.

Beyond Borders

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, speaks exclusively to Pakistan TV on elections and regional cooperation.

Bangladesh’s interim government promises credible polls amid regional diplomacy focus

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Myanmar&#39;s ambassador and voiced strong concern after cross-border gunfire from the neighboring country wounded a 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl in the border area of Cox&rsquo;s Bazar. In a statement issued in Dhaka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it summoned Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe over a recent incident of firing from Myanmar toward Bangladesh near the Whykong Union of Teknaf. &ldquo;A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was severely injured during the cross-border firing,&rdquo; the ministry said. Bangladesh said the shooting constituted &ldquo;a blatant violation of international law and a hindrance to good neighbourly relationships,&rdquo; and conveyed its protest to the Myanmar envoy, according to the foreign press statement. The ministry said Bangladesh asked Myanmar &ldquo;to take full responsibility and requisite measures to stop such cross-border firings in the future.&rdquo; It also urged that &ldquo;whatever happens between the Myanmar authorities and the armed groups in Myanmar should not in any way affect the lives and livelihoods of the people in Bangladesh,&rdquo; according to the statement. The border areas of Teknaf have previously been affected by spillover violence linked to unrest inside Myanmar, raising concerns over civilian safety on the Bangladeshi side. The statement said the Myanmar ambassador assured Bangladeshi officials that his government would act to prevent similar incidents. &ldquo;The Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take measures to stop such incidents and expressed their sincere sympathy to the injured and her family,&rdquo; the ministry said.

Bangladesh summoned the ambassador of Myanmar and expressed strong concern after cross-border gunfire from the neighboring country injured a 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl in the border area of Cox’s Bazar.

Bangladesh summons Myanmar envoy after cross-border gunfire

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after the Indian cricket board said it had &ldquo;advised&rdquo; the move, underscoring growing concerns over political interference in sport.&nbsp;Mustafizur, who has previously featured in the IPL for multiple teams, was bought by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan&rsquo;s KKR for more than $1 million at the auction held in December.&nbsp;His removal comes amid heightened political tensions and a public campaign by right-wing figures in India targeting both the player and the franchise&rsquo;s owner.&nbsp;Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), confirmed the board&rsquo;s role in the decision.<div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2007325783090741352" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);"></a></blockquote></div><div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/2007325783090741352" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);"></a></blockquote></div><div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007325783090741352&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=14fd4a35fba8655c63c98fe1d1996ae3eaa551ca&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;Considering recent developments, Kolkata were advised to release&rdquo; the 30-year-old Bangladesh international, Saikia said.&nbsp;Following the directive, the Khan&ndash;owned franchise announced the player&rsquo;s exit.&nbsp;&ldquo;His release has been carried out following due process and consultations,&rdquo; the KKR said, adding that &ldquo;BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL replacement regulations.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 754px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007367139804754366&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=14fd4a35fba8655c63c98fe1d1996ae3eaa551ca&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;The move follows a wave of political attacks against the franchise and its owner.&nbsp;Former BJP MLA Sangeet Som accused the franchise owner, a prominent Indian Muslim actor, of disloyalty, declaring, &ldquo;If you earn money, it comes from this country. But you have betrayed the nation&hellip; there should not be any place for such traitors.&rdquo; Religious figure Jagadguru Rambhadracharya also joined the campaign, branding Khan &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; and questioning his character, alleging his views had consistently run counter to the country.&nbsp;The rhetoric escalated into explicit threats from BJP-affiliated figures.&nbsp;In a video circulated on social media, Abhishek Thakur said, &ldquo;We will beat Mustafizur Rahman and Shah Rukh Khan if they allow the former to play in IPL.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007093215787471269&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=14fd4a35fba8655c63c98fe1d1996ae3eaa551ca&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;While Saikia offered no further public explanation for the advisory, the inclusion of a Bangladeshi player had drawn criticism from right-wing Hindu groups following the death of a Hindu man in Bangladesh in December.&nbsp;Bangladesh&rsquo;s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has accused India of exaggerating the scale of the violence.&nbsp;The incident has renewed criticism of India&rsquo;s repeated politicization of cricket, with critics arguing that decisions affecting players and teams are increasingly shaped by nationalist pressure rather than sporting considerations. The 19th edition of the IPL is scheduled to begin on March 26.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders after BCCI advice, amid political pressure, right-wing threats and India-Bangladesh tensions, reviving criticism of growing political interference in cricket.

India drops Bangladeshi star from IPL amid political pressure

ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has once again blurred the line between politics and sport by branding Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; over his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise&rsquo;s decision to sign a Bangladeshi cricketer.&nbsp;The controversy erupted after the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, where Khan&rsquo;s franchise secured Bangladeshi left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for $1.02 million.&nbsp;BJP leaders and affiliates responded with public accusations and threats, drawing widespread criticism for injecting hyper-nationalist politics into a professional sporting league.&nbsp;Former BJP MLA Sangeet Som accused Khan of betraying India, declaring, &ldquo;If you earn money, it comes from this country. But you have betrayed the nation&hellip; there should not be any place for such traitors.&rdquo;&nbsp;Religious figure Jagadguru Rambhadracharya also joined the campaign, calling Shah Rukh Khan &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; and questioning his character, alleging that his views had consistently been against the country.&nbsp;The rhetoric escalated further when BJP-affiliated figures issued direct threats. Abhishek Thakur, speaking in a video circulated on social media, said, &ldquo;We will beat Mustafizur Rahman and Shah Rukh Khan if they allow the former to play in IPL.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007093215787471269&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard&sessionId=bddc91dad91e30354161280cbf0fd80065d61fab&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2007093215787471269"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;The incident exposed an increasingly hostile environment for foreign players, particularly from neighboring countries, amid India&rsquo;s domestic political discourse.&nbsp;Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla echoed the hardline position, stating, &ldquo;I completely agree that no player from Bangladesh should play in the IPL.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006740198017871968&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard&sessionId=bddc91dad91e30354161280cbf0fd80065d61fab&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2006740198017871968"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;In contrast, opposition leaders criticized the BJP&rsquo;s approach, warning that politicizing cricket undermines both sport and regional stability. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said cricket should not be used as a proxy for political disputes.&nbsp;&ldquo;Cricket should not be made to bear the burden for attacks on minorities in Bangladesh,&rdquo; Tharoor said.&nbsp;Congress leader Priyank Kharge also criticized the ruling party&rsquo;s campaign, cautioning that dragging sport into political hostility risks damaging India&rsquo;s relations with neighboring countries.&nbsp;The episode has revived broader criticism of India&rsquo;s repeated politicization of cricket, with observers noting that sporting bodies and tournaments have frequently been affected by political considerations, particularly in matters involving regional rivals and neighboring states.

India’s BJP sparks controversy by branding Shah Rukh Khan anti-national for signing Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, drawing criticism over politicizing cricket and issuing threats.

Articles tagged with "bangladesh"