Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal has said the proposed white-ball series against India has not been cancelled, revealing that the BCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are still discussing possible dates for the tour.
The development comes amid strained relations between the two neighbouring countries and uncertainty surrounding the proposed India tour, which was originally scheduled to feature three ODIs and three T20Is in August-September.
Speaking to Not Out Noman, Tamim said both cricket boards remained committed to finding a window for the series.
“That it won’t happen hasn’t been decided yet,” Tamim said, adding that the BCCI and BCB were “very sincere” about making the series happen.
He said both sides were looking at their respective schedules and discussing possible dates.
“There are certain things that are beyond our control,” Tamim said. “But intentions are good, we are continuously communicating. Dates are also being figured out.”
Tamim says Bangladesh ‘should have definitely played’ T20 World Cup
Tamim was far more critical when discussing Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw from the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh had sought a change in venue for its matches after controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman and his release from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. The International Cricket Council rejected the request, after which Bangladesh were replaced in the tournament by Scotland.
Tamim said the situation surrounding Mustafizur was understandably a major concern in Bangladesh, but maintained that the subsequent negotiations could have been handled differently.
“I feel that we could have negotiated the thing much better,” he said.
According to Tamim, Bangladesh had qualified for a major global tournament and should have found a way to participate.
“It is a World Cup Bangladesh is going to represent,” he said, stressing that the country “should have definitely played” the tournament.
‘We went to a point of no return’
Tamim suggested that the dispute escalated too quickly and reached a stage where it became difficult to reverse course.
“I feel we probably could have dealt with it better. We went to a point of no return right from the beginning,” he said.
The BCB chief also indicated that he had learned more about the negotiations after becoming part of the ICC set-up.
“There were a lot of things said and done during those negotiations, which, if I make public, you will be surprised,” Tamim said, while declining to reveal further details.
He said he wanted to maintain respect for those involved and therefore would not disclose the specifics of the discussions.
Tamim backs keeping sports separate from politics
Tamim also argued that sporting relations should, as far as possible, remain separate from broader political disputes.
“If you go to a point of no return on the very first day, then that won’t happen. And I feel in some cases, sports should remain as sports,” he said.
For now, the proposed India-Bangladesh series remains uncertain in terms of timing, but Tamim’s comments indicate that both boards are continuing to explore a possible new window.
