Login
India's much-anticipated white-ball tour of Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on August 17, is hanging in the balance as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awaits formal clearance from the Indian government. The tour, which includes three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is), is yet to receive a green signal due to rising political tension in the region.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, Aminul Islam, confirmed the development following the board's meeting on June 30 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Islam acknowledged that scheduling issues and diplomatic considerations had clouded the series, despite his optimism for the tour.
The strained political environment in Bangladesh, coupled with regional diplomatic friction involving India, has made the security and feasibility of the tour uncertain. Recent developments in Bangladesh, including the conviction related to a student activist's murder and the resulting civil unrest, have further complicated the situation. Protests across the country are still going on, raising concerns about the safety of the series' officials and players.
Reports state that in front of these circumstances, the BCCI is exercising caution and is awaiting official government guidance before deciding to travel.
Despite the challenges, both boards are maintaining a positive dialogue. Aminul Islam stated that talks between BCB and BCCI are still in progress and that if August turns out to be impractical, both parties are looking at other dates.
"It's not about hosting the series only in August or September," said Islam. "We're trying to find a way to stage it later, if necessary. The BCCI is waiting for some government clearance before confirming."
The proposed tour would span Dhaka and Chattogram, with matches set over a two-week window. The series was officially announced earlier this year, with August 17 marked as the starting date for the ODIs, followed by T20Is in late August.
During its board meeting, the BCB announced a number of significant developments in addition to the India series. Former ICC elite umpire Simon Taufel is set to lead umpire education in the country under a three-year contract. The board is also planning to expand its selection panels for both men's and women's cricket, including appointing a woman selector for the national women's team.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the next edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), scheduled for the December-January window, with the involvement of a new event management partner and long-term franchise agreements.
While cricket fans in both countries await a final decision, the fate of India's tour of Bangladesh rests on diplomatic proceedings. Should the clearance come through in time, the series will go ahead as planned. If not, both boards are prepared to revisit the schedule and explore new dates for the bilateral contest.
