The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made contact with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), signalling a push to reinforce existing links and open up fresh channels for cricket cooperation between the two neighbours. The development was confirmed by BCB’s Director of Cricket Operations, Nazmul Abedin Fahim, who said board-to-board communication is a regular part of keeping international relationships strong.
Fahim explained that the BCB has been in routine touch with several cricket boards around the world. He added that the latest outreach to the BCCI was carried out through formal correspondence, including a letter sent via email.
He further noted that the communication included reference to Bangladesh’s cricket calendar. In the written request, the BCB flagged that the Indian men’s national team is expected to travel to Bangladesh in September for a series. After that leg, the BCB also indicated that Bangladesh’s women’s team is anticipated to tour India, while asking the BCCI to consider other forms of mutual cricketing collaboration.
How the BCB–BCCI tension started
The outreach follows a period marked by strain between the two boards. Ahead of IPL 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders had signed Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. However, political objections raised by local groups led the BCCI to instruct KKR to release him, a move that triggered a clear rise in friction between the cricket administrations.
Relations were further strained when Bangladesh chose to boycott the T20 World Cup staged in India, adding another layer of diplomatic and sporting discomfort to the already tense atmosphere.
Diplomatic thaw and cricket ties looking up
Despite the earlier fallout, there have been signs of improvement in political relations between the two countries. After the February 12 elections, the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman began taking steps aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement with India.
In a notable diplomatic development, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, is scheduled to visit India on April 7 and 8. With the broader political climate appearing more favourable, cricket cooperation between the boards is also expected to move back toward a more constructive phase, setting the stage for future exchanges.
India’s tour of Bangladesh: September 2026 series
On the cricket front, India are set to tour Bangladesh in September 2026 for a six-match white-ball assignment. The series is expected to include three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The tour was originally planned for August 2025 but was pushed back because of scheduling constraints and security considerations. Now, after the BCB’s proposal to the BCCI, the final dates and fixtures are expected to be confirmed jointly by the two boards.
- September 1: 1st ODI at Mirpur.
- September 3: 2nd ODI at Mirpur.
- September 6: 3rd ODI at Chattogram.
- September 9: 1st T20I at Chattogram.
- September 12: 2nd T20I at Mirpur.
- September 13: 3rd T20I at Mirpur.
