Bangladesh Cricket Board announced that Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak is no longer part of the hosting team for the Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 season. However, Pathak said that he had taken the decision voluntarily and refuted claims that he was dropped by the Bangladesh board.
Sports relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated after BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League 2026. The decision is also being seen as a sign of rising tensions between the two countries, with the dispute now spreading beyond politics into cricket.
Bangladesh reacts to IPL broadcast ban and demand for World Cup venue
Following Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the IPL, Bangladesh took several stringent retaliatory measures. The government announced a nationwide ban on the telecast of the Indian Premier League, stopping its telecast through local cable networks.
At the cricket board level, the Bangladesh Cricket Board held an emergency meeting and raised security concerns over the trip to India for the T20 World Cup. The BCB formally asked the International Cricket Council to shift Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka.
However, the ICC has said that Bangladesh will have to play their matches in India or risk forfeiture. The situation has also created uncertainty over Bangladeshi golfers participating in events organized by the Professional Golf Tour of India, as the controversy has spread to all sports.
Ridhima Pathak spoke openly on the news of her exit from BPL
Amid tensions between the two cricket boards, Bangladeshi media claimed that Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak has been removed from the BCB hosting panel. Pathak clarified that these reports were false and declined to comment further, saying that they had not been removed.
“In the last few hours, a story has come out that I have been ‘out’ of the BPL. This is not true. I took a personal decision to opt out. For me, my country always comes first. And I value the game of cricket much more than any single assignment. I have been privileged to serve the game with integrity, respect and passion over the years. That will not change. I will stand for honesty, candor and the spirit of the game.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out for support. Your messages mean more than you know. Cricket deserves the truth. Period. No further comment from me.”
Mustafizur Rahman’s release has upset Bangladesh Cricket Board
Mustafizur Rahman has been released by Kolkata Knight Riders. Notably, KKR had picked him up for Rs 9.20 crore in the Indian Premier League 2026 auction, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India later asked the franchise to let him go after a strong response.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board also took the issue to the International Cricket Council. BCB asked ICC to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India citing security concerns.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the ICC also discussed the matter in a virtual meeting and rejected the request. ICC told BCB that Bangladesh will have to come to India to play their matches. If they refuse, they may lose points and risk an early exit from the tournament.
As per the current schedule, Bangladesh will play all four Group C matches in India. They will face West Indies, Italy and England at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. After this they will go to Mumbai to play their final group match against Nepal.
Also read: ICC drops Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026, replacement identified