Due to security concerns, Bangladesh did not travel to India for the most recent T20 World Cup. The issue stemmed from the BCCI’s decision, reportedly influenced by Kolkata Knight Riders, to drop Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. However, the BCCI has not provided any clear explanation for his exclusion. This incident reportedly strained cricketing relations between the two countries.
As a result, India’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh under the FTP has also been left in uncertainty. India were supposed to play two white-ball series in Bangladesh in September this year.
However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken steps to repair the strained relationship. In March, they sent an official letter to the BCCI requesting confirmation of the upcoming bilateral series. The BCCI has not yet responded.
BCB Cricket Operations Incharge Shahriar Nafees spoke to reporters on Monday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, saying, “Bilateral series are part of the FTP. The series that was supposed to take place last year has been moved to this year. As time goes on, communication with every board continues regularly. I have also learned through reports that the BCB has sent a letter to the BCCI, but since this is an issue for the CEO or president’s office, I do not have detailed information.”
India were originally scheduled to tour Bangladesh in October 2025 for a three-match ODI and T20I series. Although the series had a fixed schedule, it was postponed to September this year due to India’s busy international calendar.
However, several Indian media reports suggest that the tour was postponed due to political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries, with a decision involving India’s higher authorities. The Bangladesh women’s team tour of India has also been cancelled. That tour was supposed to include two white-ball series led by Nigar Sultana Joty.
Bangladesh will host the next Asia Cup, and if diplomatic relations with India do not improve, it could also affect cricketing ties. If India refuse to tour Bangladesh for the tournament, the ACC may once again have to adopt a hybrid model, and the event could even be shifted away from Bangladesh. However, the priority remains India’s participation in a bilateral series in Bangladesh, which ultimately depends on the Indian central government.
