Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal held a meeting with high-level government officials on Thursday, July 30, to request assistance in securing the upcoming cricket tour by India’s men's national team. Accompanied by BCB Security Committee chairman Sayeed Ibrahim, the board president met with Shama Obaed Islam, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, to urge the government to initiate official communication with Indian counterparts regarding the series.
The tour, which is tentatively scheduled for September and includes three ODIs and three T20Is, remains unconfirmed. BCB officials are reportedly seeking this government-level intervention because they have yet to receive formal confirmation from India. The series was originally planned for 2024 but was postponed due to political instability in Bangladesh, leading to uncertainty amid strained relations between the two cricket boards.
Tamim Iqbal acknowledged the meeting when approached for comment but did not provide further details. Previously, on July 29, the BCB president expressed optimism about the tour while noting that certain aspects of the situation remain beyond his control and require government involvement. This diplomatic push comes as Dhaka and New Delhi work to reset bilateral ties, a sentiment echoed by Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, who stated on July 29 that both nations agree on moving forward based on mutual interests and sovereign equality.
Adding to the sense of optimism is an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13 in New Delhi. The government is currently reviewing this invitation. Meanwhile, the BCB is holding off on final decisions regarding commercial interests, including the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI), as the board waits for a definitive signal regarding the status of the India series.
