Aminul Haque, the State Minister for Youth and Sports in Bangladesh, stated on Tuesday that the nation is eager to host India this September. He expressed a belief that any existing distance between the two countries can be successfully bridged through the power of sporting diplomacy.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had previously announced plans to host India for a series consisting of three ODIs and T20Is in August-September 2026. This schedule was established after an earlier tour, originally slated for 2025, was cancelled due to diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The relationship has faced strain in the recent past, leading to a situation where the then-Yunus-led government withdrew participation from the last T20 World Cup in India, citing security concerns. This withdrawal cast doubt on the feasibility of future tours, though the BCB has maintained that it will enhance security measures for the India series if necessary.
Regarding the upcoming visit, Aminul told reporters in Dhaka that the current government places the utmost importance on sports diplomacy. He noted that cricket holds a position of prestige and strength for the country, adding that communication has already occurred with the Indian Embassy. According to the minister, both parties are anticipating India’s arrival in September.
Aminul expressed confidence that once the team arrives, the tensions that stemmed from small incidents in the past will be overcome. He remains hopeful that through sports diplomacy, communication, and movement, relations with the neighboring country will continue to progress. In the wake of the T20 World Cup withdrawal, the Sports Ministry has formed a committee to investigate the reasons behind the decision, following an earlier probe into whether the move constituted a diplomatic failure.
