The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed television channels in Bangladesh to suspend the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with immediate effect.

In a letter sent to television channels on Monday, the ministry said the directive would remain in force until further notice.

The letter noted that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to exclude Bangladesh star cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming IPL, scheduled to begin on March 26.

The ministry said no reasonable justification for the decision has been made known so far, adding that such a move has hurt, saddened and angered the people of Bangladesh.

In view of the situation, the ministry instructed the chief executives of television channels to stop the broadcast and transmission of all IPL matches and related programmes until further instructions are issued.