Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal has stepped up efforts to ensure India’s scheduled white-ball tour of Bangladesh goes ahead in September, with the board seeking government-level intervention to reassure New Delhi over the proposed series, according to a report by Cricbuzz.The development comes amid continued uncertainty over the six-match tour, which is expected to feature three ODIs and three T20Is, but has not yet received official confirmation.
BCB seeks government’s help
According to Cricbuzz, Tamim, accompanied by BCB Security Committee chairman Sayeed Ibrahim, met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday to request that the Bangladesh government initiate official communication with its Indian counterparts.The aim is to reassure India that Bangladesh is fully prepared to host the series in September.As per the report, Tamim acknowledged the meeting but declined to elaborate on the discussions.The report added that BCB officials have urged government representatives to engage directly with India, as the cricket board is still awaiting formal confirmation regarding the tour.Earlier this week, Tamim said the BCB remained hopeful that the series would take place, while acknowledging there were limits to what the board could do. He indicated that certain matters were beyond the BCB’s control and would need to be addressed at the government level.
Geopolitical developments fuel fresh optimism
The proposed Bangladesh-India series was originally scheduled for 2024 but was postponed following political unrest in Bangladesh. Although it was pushed to 2025, strained relations between the two cricket boards kept the tour in doubt.However, Cricbuzz reported there is renewed optimism that the series could finally take place, helped by recent diplomatic developments between the two countries.India has reportedly invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in September, while Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman recently said Dhaka and New Delhi had agreed to reset bilateral relations based on sovereign equality and mutual interests following a meeting with India’s new High Commissioner.The report also noted that the BCB is yet to issue its Expression of Interest (EOI) despite completing the valuation process. Board officials are believed to be waiting for greater clarity on India’s tour before proceeding with the next commercial steps.For now, Bangladesh cricket’s top brass remains hopeful that diplomatic progress will translate into sporting action, with Tamim leading efforts to ensure one of the subcontinent’s biggest bilateral series returns to the calendar.
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