Discussions around the India Pakistan World Cup clash have also brought a wider issue back into focus. Pakistan and Bangladesh raised the idea of a future tri-nation series involving India during recent talks in Lahore.
Sources suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board looked beyond the immediate dispute. Along with seeking relief for Bangladesh, the PCB pushed for more regular cricket involving India. That push was not limited to Pakistan alone. Bangladesh was also included in those plans.
The PCB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board explored the option of a tri-series featuring all three teams. The idea was placed on the table during meetings with ICC officials.
Such a series would carry strong value. It would give Bangladesh more high-level matches and steady income. It would also bring competitive balance and fan interest across the region.
But there is a clear roadblock. The ICC cannot approve or promise any series that includes India. Those decisions rest with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian government.
Because of that, there is no clarity on whether the proposal moved forward. Even existing tours remain uncertain. A bilateral series between India and Bangladesh is scheduled for September, but political tensions continue to cloud that plan.
Still, the talks showed unity between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Both boards used the moment to raise long-term concerns about access and scheduling.
For now, the tri-nation series remains an idea. No agreement has been reached. But its inclusion in formal talks shows growing pressure for change in how regional cricket is planned.
