Sporting relations between India and Bangladesh appear to have strained further following reports that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) removed Indian
presenter Ridhima Pathak from the hosting panel of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The development was widely seen as another consequence of the escalating diplomatic and sporting tensions between the two countries. However, Pathak has denied these claims, clarifying that she chose to step away from the T20 league voluntarily, citing the prevailing political climate as the reason behind her decision.
"In the last few hours, there's been a narrative suggesting I was 'dropped' from the BPL. That is not true. I made a personal decision to opt out. For me, my nation comes first-always. And I value the game of cricket far beyond any single assignment. I've been privileged to serve this sport for years with honesty, respect, and passion. That won't change. I'll continue to stand for integrity, for clarity, and for the spirit of the game. Thank you to everyone who reached out with support. Your messages mean more than you know. Cricket deserves truth. Period. No further comments from my side,” wrote Pathak on Instagram.
The tensions escalated further on January 3, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. In retaliation, the Bangladesh government announced a nationwide ban on the telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and demanded that their T20 World Cup matches be moved to Sri Lanka.
Amid the ongoing standoff between the two countries, the BCB has suffered a major setback in its attempt to have its T20 World Cup fixtures shifted out of India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly informed Bangladesh that the team must play its scheduled matches in India or face the risk of forfeiting them.
