According to cricket
website Cricbuzz, the chances of India
travelling to Bangladesh for the series have diminished significantly due to
the recent political developments. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however,
has yet to give up hope and remains keen to host the series in September.
The situation became
more complicated after ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and several members
of her party were given an opportunity to address a virtual press conference
from Delhi on August 5.
On August 8, Home
Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said it would be unreasonable for Bangladesh to
expect friendly relations with India if Hasina was allowed to make statements
from Delhi aimed at undermining Bangladesh’s democracy and creating instability
in the country.
According to BCB
sources, Hasina’s remarks have made the prospect of India’s September tour even
more difficult. BCB officials had hoped cricket could help ease tensions
between the two countries, while hosting India would also have been financially
significant for the board.
BCB president Tamim
Iqbal had been making efforts to ensure the series goes ahead. India’s global
popularity and commercial value make an Indian tour highly attractive for
cricket boards around the world.
Asked about the
series, Tamim told Samakal, “I have said
before that I have limitations in this matter. As BCB president, I have gone as
far as I could. I don’t want to cross that limit. The cricket board remains in
regular contact with the BCCI. India-Bangladesh series are always enjoyable. At
this moment, I cannot say anything more specific.”
A senior BCB
official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he had become doubtful about
the series following the latest developments.
“After everything
that has happened recently, I am now doubtful about the series. I don’t think
we will receive any response from India regarding the series. Honestly, a
decision on whether to hold the series was expected by August 28. How many days
do we have left?” he said.
Asked whether the
series would go ahead as originally planned, the official replied, “I don’t
think so.”
He added that the
BCB had made every possible effort, but the situation was now beyond the
board’s control.
“Until it is
officially cancelled, we can only keep hoping,” he said.
India last toured Bangladesh for a bilateral series in December 2022. If the current tensions deepen, the two sides could face an even longer wait for their next bilateral cricket series.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Published Date : August 10, 2026
