Youth and Sports and Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has urged the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to suspend the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Saturday night, he said the move came after the Indian cricket board allegedly instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman under pressure from extremist communal groups. Nazrul condemned the decision and termed it an insult to Bangladesh and its cricketers.

He stated that, as the minister in charge of the sports ministry, he had directed the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board to formally explain the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). He also instructed the board to inform the ICC that if a Bangladeshi player cannot play in India despite having a contract, the national team might not feel safe participating in the World Cup there. Nazrul further said he had advised the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead.

Nazrul reiterated that Bangladesh would not tolerate any insult to its cricket or cricketers and declared that the days of subservience were over.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul commented on the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped the player from their upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. Speaking in Sylhet after inaugurating a regional cricket center, Bulbul said he had limited information and could not make detailed comments yet. He confirmed that BCB had not received any official statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the franchise.

According to the report, KKR removed Mustafizur following threats from several Hindu nationalist groups and India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The decision was reportedly made under BCCI’s instruction. The issue has raised concerns ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, where Bangladesh is scheduled to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Threats have also been issued against these matches, including warnings about damaging the Eden Gardens pitch.

BCB media committee chairman Amjad Hossain said the board had just learned of the situation and would prioritize player safety in discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He noted that ICC safety guidelines would determine the final venue decisions.

Bangladesh Shooting Sports Federation has temporarily suspended national shooter Kamrun Nahar Koli. The decision was communicated on January 1 to her employer, the Bangladesh Navy, through a letter signed by federation general secretary Ferdous Ara Begum. The letter cited violations of sections 5, 12, 13, and 14 of the federation’s code of conduct, accusing Koli of speaking to the media without permission, discouraging fellow shooters, and engaging in politics and grouping. She was asked to respond within three working days explaining why the suspension should not be made permanent.

Koli had earlier accused the federation’s joint general secretary, G.M. Haider Sajjad, of sexual harassment and filed a general diary at Gulshan Police Station on November 26. Several other shooters also protested the alleged misconduct. Sajjad was later relieved of his duties by the National Sports Council on the same day Koli received her suspension letter. Koli claimed she was targeted for raising her voice against harassment and alleged that the federation acted under Sajjad’s influence.

The suspension puts Koli’s participation in national and international competitions in doubt, threatening the career of Bangladesh’s first female World Cup shooting finalist.

Bangladesh’s fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The decision reportedly stems from political instability between India and Bangladesh and pressure from several hardline Hindu nationalist groups in India. The move has sparked anger among former Indian cricketers and politicians.

Former World Cup-winning cricketer Madan Lal expressed deep concern over growing political interference in sports, saying players are the ones most affected. He noted that BCCI’s decisions are rarely challenged, even by franchise owners. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif described the issue as sensitive and urged the media to remain patient while the board handles the matter. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized linking cricket with political or religious issues, arguing that excluding players like Mustafizur could harm regional cooperation and India’s sporting image.

The controversy highlights increasing overlap between politics and cricket in the region, with calls for greater tolerance and separation of sports from political disputes.

Kolkata Knight Riders have announced the exclusion of Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. Following the decision, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sangeet Som thanked the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Social media users identifying with Hindu nationalist ideology expressed joy over the move, posting celebratory and derogatory comments about Bangladeshi players and artists.

In an interview with NDTV, Sangeet Som criticized actor Shah Rukh Khan for previously including Mustafizur in the team, calling the decision wrong and claiming it hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus. Som also accused Bangladesh of attacks on Hindus and labeled Shah Rukh Khan a traitor. Som, a former legislator from Uttar Pradesh’s Sardhana constituency, has faced serious allegations related to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

Reports indicate that speculation about Mustafizur’s removal had circulated for days, with some extremist activists threatening to damage pitches if he played. The announcement has now confirmed those concerns.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has extended financial assistance to Shaheen Alam, a pacer from Bangladesh’s 2020 Under-19 World Cup-winning cricket team, who is currently facing financial hardship. The aid was delivered on Rahman’s instruction by Aminul Haque, convener of Dhaka North BNP and BNP candidate for Dhaka-16, at his Mirpur residence on Saturday. Haque, also the party’s central sports secretary and a former national football captain, assured continued support for Shaheen.

Shaheen Alam, originally from Kurigram, has been struggling with long-term injuries, family illness, and financial difficulties. Once a key pace bowler in Bangladesh’s historic youth World Cup victory in South Africa, he has been unable to play regularly due to injury and currently lacks a team in the ongoing first division league, cutting off his income.

During the handover, Aminul Haque described Shaheen as a national asset and emphasized the moral duty to support talented athletes. He also urged the cricket board to take greater responsibility for players’ welfare. Shaheen expressed gratitude to Tarique Rahman and vowed to recover and return to cricket soon.

Bangladeshi newspaper Amar Desh has announced it will boycott all coverage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following the exclusion of Bangladesh’s fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad. The decision came after India’s cricket board, the BCCI, instructed KKR to release Mustafizur. The newspaper’s editorial board confirmed the boycott soon after the player’s removal was made public.

According to the report, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had granted Mustafizur permission to play in the IPL at the BCCI’s request, following Bangladesh’s ODI series against New Zealand. KKR had purchased Mustafizur for 92 million rupees in the recent auction, making him the highest-priced Bangladeshi player in the league. However, the BCCI has not yet formally notified the BCB about the release order.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Indian media that the decision was made due to recent events, while other Indian figures, including a religious leader and a BJP politician, had earlier criticized KKR’s signing of Mustafizur. The BCB indicated it has limited options beyond appealing to the BCCI.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially released Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The franchise confirmed the decision in a statement, saying it acted in accordance with BCCI’s instructions and procedures before the next phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL). BCCI has also allowed KKR to select a replacement player under IPL regulations.

BCCI secretary Debajit Saikia told India’s news agency ANI from Guwahati on January 3 that the board instructed KKR to remove Mustafizur from their squad due to political pressure and controversy surrounding his participation in the IPL. Saikia explained that although the board initially adopted a “wait and watch” approach, it ultimately made a difficult decision to resolve the issue.

The controversy intensified after a BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh labeled KKR co-owner and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor” for signing Mustafizur. Several self-proclaimed spiritual figures in India also criticized Khan over the matter.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. The directive was confirmed on January 3, 2026, in Guwahati by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, who cited political pressure and controversy surrounding Mustafizur’s participation in the tournament.

According to Saikia, the BCCI initially adopted a ‘wait and watch’ approach but ultimately decided to remove the player due to escalating political tensions between India and Bangladesh. He added that KKR would be allowed to select a replacement player with BCCI’s approval. The issue gained attention after some Indian political figures and self-proclaimed spiritual leaders criticized KKR’s decision to sign Mustafizur, with one BJP leader labeling team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan a ‘traitor’.

The decision marks a rare instance of political disputes directly influencing IPL team composition, raising questions about the tournament’s insulation from external pressures.

Al Nassr began the new year with disappointment as their ten-match winning streak in the Saudi Pro League came to an end. The team, featuring Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, lost 3-2 to Al Ahli. English forward Tony Evans scored twice for Al Ahli, while Merih Demiral added another goal. Abdullah Al-Amri netted both goals for Al Nassr in a match where Ronaldo remained largely ineffective.

The game started with Tony scoring in the seventh minute, followed by a second goal in the 20th minute after a long pass from his own half. Al Nassr fought back through Al-Amri, who scored from distance in the 30th minute and then equalized with a header just before halftime. In the second half, Al Ahli regained control, and Demiral’s strike in the 53rd minute sealed the win.

This defeat marked Al Nassr’s first loss in eleven league matches, leaving them with 31 points from ten wins and one draw before this match.

Australian captain Steve Smith has said that teammate Usman Khawaja faced unfair treatment during his international cricket career. The 39-year-old left-handed batter is set to retire after the Sydney Test, which will be his final match in the ongoing Ashes series. Smith voiced his support for Khawaja, noting that the player had been dropped from the national team multiple times, including eight occasions in his Test career and again during the current Ashes.

Smith refrained from commenting directly on Khawaja’s criticisms but described some of the claims against him, such as being injured while playing golf before a match, as unjust. He praised Khawaja’s 15-year career and his consistent improvement over time. Smith recalled that Khawaja had also been dropped during the 2017 series against India but used that setback to refine his playing techniques.

Smith concluded by calling Khawaja an exceptional talent whose development over the years had been remarkable, highlighting their early days playing together in New South Wales youth cricket.

The final Test of the Ashes series between Australia and England will be broadcast live early tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. on Star Sports, according to the schedule published by Amar Desh on January 3, 2026. This marks the concluding match of the long-standing cricket rivalry between the two nations in the current series.

In addition to the Ashes, the day’s sports broadcast lineup includes several other cricket and football events. The Big Bash League match between Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes will air at 2:15 p.m. on Star Sports Select HD 1, while SA T20 fixtures will feature Joburg Super Kings against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at 5 p.m. and Pretoria Capitals versus Durban’s Super Giants at 9:30 p.m. Football fans can watch Bangladesh Premier League matches, English Premier League’s Bournemouth vs Arsenal, La Liga’s Espanyol vs Barcelona, Serie A’s Juventus vs Lecce, and Africa Cup of Nations fixtures.

The schedule highlights a packed day for sports viewers, with multiple international and domestic competitions broadcast across various channels.

Rangpur Riders secured a six-wicket victory over Sylhet Titans in Sylhet, driven by a quickfire innings from Mahmudullah Riyad. After falling short in the previous match against Rajshahi Warriors, Mahmudullah redeemed himself with a decisive 34 runs off 16 balls. Kyle Mayers contributed 31 runs from 29 deliveries, helping Rangpur chase down the target of 145 in 18.5 overs. Sylhet’s Ethan Brooks and Khaled Ahmed took one wicket each.

Batting first after losing the toss, Sylhet Titans posted 144 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Afif Hossain top-scored with 46, while Ethan Brooks added 31 from 30 balls. Rangpur’s bowlers, Mustafizur Rahman and Fahim Ashraf, each claimed three wickets to restrict Sylhet’s total. Despite the challenging chase, Mahmudullah’s composed batting ensured Rangpur’s win.

Mahmudullah Riyad was named player of the match for his match-winning performance, marking a strong comeback after his previous game’s missed opportunity.

Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman has reached a major career milestone by taking his 400th wicket in recognized T20 cricket. The achievement came while playing for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He became the second Bangladeshi cricketer to reach this mark, following Shakib Al Hasan.

According to the report, Mustafizur achieved the feat in his 315th T20 match. Out of his total wickets, 158 came from 126 international T20 matches. Before him, Shakib Al Hasan had taken 507 wickets in 468 recognized T20 matches. Mustafizur’s recent form has been strong, continuing from his impressive performance in the IL T20 league.

The milestone highlights Mustafizur’s consistency and longevity in the shortest format of the game, reinforcing his reputation as one of Bangladesh’s leading T20 bowlers.

Defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club started the new year with a disappointing goalless draw against Brothers Union in the ongoing football league. The match, held on Friday at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, ended without goals despite several close chances from both sides. With this result, both teams shared the points.

Mohammedan’s struggle to regain form continued as they remained winless in their last few outings. After nine matches, the team has collected only 10 points, placing them sixth on the league table with two wins, four draws, and three losses. Coach Alfaz Ahmed’s side began the match aggressively but failed to convert opportunities, including a missed chance by Hafizur Rahman and a disallowed goal by Samuel Boateng for offside. Brothers Union also had a goal from Anjan Bista ruled out for offside.

The league continues today with four scheduled matches: Abahani vs Arambagh, Bangladesh Police vs Rahmatganj, Fakirerpool vs Bashundhara Kings, and Fortis vs PWD, all kicking off at 2:30 p.m.