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The uncertainty continues over India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh. With the proposed white-ball series just weeks away, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal has now sought help from the Bangladesh government to help make the India tour happen in September.
The three-match ODI and T20I series is expected to be played in September, but there is still no clarity on whether the Men in Blue would visit Bangladesh for the series. To speed up the process, Tamim Iqbal personally met senior government officials and requested them to speak with the Indian government and assure them that Bangladesh is ready to host the Indian cricket team.
Tamim Iqbal seeks Bangladesh Government's help over India tour
As reported by Cricbuzz, Tamim Iqbal visited the office of Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, along with BCB Security Committee chairman Sayeed Ibrahim. During the meeting, Tamim Iqbal requested the government to start official talks with India so that the white-ball tour can be confirmed as soon as possible.
Recently, the former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal had said that he was hopeful about the India series. At the same time, he also made it clear that some decisions were beyond the control of the cricket board and needed support from the government. Amid this, BCCI launches massive crackdown on age fraud; fake documents could lead to ban.
The India tour was first planned for 2024 but had to be postponed because of political unrest in Bangladesh. It was later moved to 2025, but the tension between the two countries once again pushed the series forward, and now, once again, it is still facing uncertainty.
BRICS invitation sparks fresh hope for India's Bangladesh tour
Amid the uncertainty, the positive news is that India invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in September. The invitation has raised hopes of better relations between the two countries, which could also help the cricket series go ahead.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman recently said that both countries have agreed to improve their relationship by focusing on mutual interests and respect. His statement came after meeting India's new High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
Khalilur was quoted as saying by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, "We both agree that our two countries' relations should move forward, keeping mutual interests at the forefront and, as I always say, on the basis of sovereign equality. (On attending the BRICS Summit in Delhi) We are currently reviewing it. We will take a decision and inform you immediately once that decision is made.”
BCB puts EOI process on hold because of India tour
Meanwhile, the BCB has completed the valuation process for its Expression of Interest (EOI), but it has not submitted the final documents yet. Reports suggest the BCB wants clarity on India's tour before moving forward with that process.
Currently, India is preparing for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka while Bangladesh is set to face Australia in the two-match Test series next month. Both tours are part of the ICC WTC 2025-27 cycle.
