Tamim Iqbal hopeful India-Bangladesh series will happen, both boards eyeing window
Synopsis
BCB President Tamim Iqbal has broken his silence on the stalled India series — insisting it is not dead, while openly admitting Bangladesh mishandled both the Mustafizur Rahman IPL episode and the T20 World Cup withdrawal. His candour is rare for a sitting cricket administrator, and signals that fence-mending is underway.
Key Takeaways
BCB President Tamim Iqbal says the proposed India-Bangladesh white-ball series — 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is — has not been cancelled.
Both the BCCI and BCB are 'very sincere' and actively looking for a scheduling window, according to Tamim.
The series was originally planned for August-September 2025 but was postponed by India's T20 series against Afghanistan starting 13 September .
Tamim admitted Bangladesh's handling of the Mustafizur Rahman IPL release and the 2026 T20 World Cup withdrawal was flawed, saying 'we went to a point of no return right from the beginning.' He argued that 'sports should remain as sports,' citing Iran competing in America during active conflict as a benchmark.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal has expressed optimism that a home white-ball series against India will materialise in the future, stating that both the BCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are actively scouting for a workable window in their packed international calendars. Tamim made the remarks in an interview with the YouTube channel 'Not Out Noman'.
The Proposed Series and What Delayed It
The bilateral tour — comprising three ODIs and three T20Is — was originally scheduled for August-September 2025. However, India's T20 series against Afghanistan, beginning 13 September, effectively pushed the Bangladesh fixtures off the calendar for the time being. Tamim was careful to note that a cancellation has not been formally decided.
'That it won't happen hasn't been decided yet. Both boards are very sincere that this thing happens. Both the BCCI and the BCB, and we are looking at windows as well, to see what can be done at that time,' Tamim said. He added that the positive intent on both sides gave him confidence: 'Intentions are very positive.'
The Diplomatic Fallout That Strained Ties
The scheduling uncertainty sits against a backdrop of strained relations between the two boards. Earlier this year, ahead of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup in India, Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament, citing security concerns — a decision that drew significant criticism. The standoff was compounded by fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman being released from his IPL 2026 contract with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a move that Tamim described as something 'the whole country was disappointed with.'
'I say today as well; I said that day too, it should never have happened. This was in no way the right thing to do; this should never have been done,' Tamim said, acknowledging that the BCB's handling of the crisis was flawed.
Tamim's Broader Argument: Sports Should Stay Sports
Reflecting on the wider pattern of cricket being entangled in geopolitics, Tamim invoked the example of Iran competing in America during an active armed conflict to argue that sporting commitments should transcend political tensions. 'I feel that in some cases, we should treat sports as sports. Unfortunately, we sometimes might not be staying within this line,' he said.
He was candid that Bangladesh's decision to withdraw from the World Cup was, in hindsight, avoidable: 'We went to a point of no return right from the beginning. If you go to a point of no return on the very first day, then that (solution) won't happen.' He stopped short of elaborating further, noting, 'I cannot say many things even though I know them.'
What Comes Next
No revised dates for the India-Bangladesh series have been announced publicly. Both boards are reportedly examining gaps in the Future Tours Programme (FTP) to accommodate the fixtures. Given the diplomatic sensitivities and the compressed international schedule, any confirmed window is likely to emerge closer to the end of 2025 or in early 2026. The tone from Tamim, however, suggests that backroom dialogue between the two boards remains constructive.
Point of View
Lurching from one flashpoint to the next without a clear framework for separating political grievances from sporting commitments. The India series remains the most commercially significant bilateral fixture for the BCB, and its indefinite postponement carries real financial consequences. Whether Tamim's optimism translates into a confirmed tour will depend less on intentions and more on whether the two boards can negotiate a window before the FTP tightens further into 2026.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the India-Bangladesh cricket series cancelled?
No formal cancellation has been announced. BCB President Tamim Iqbal confirmed on 31 August that both the BCCI and BCB are actively looking for a scheduling window to host the proposed series of three ODIs and three T20Is.
Why was the India-Bangladesh series postponed?
The series, originally planned for August-September 2025, was pushed back because India's T20 series against Afghanistan begins on 13 September, leaving no viable window in the original slot.
What did Tamim Iqbal say about Bangladesh's T20 World Cup withdrawal?
Tamim admitted that Bangladesh's handling of the 2026 T20 World Cup withdrawal was flawed, saying the board 'went to a point of no return right from the beginning' and that the situation 'could have been dealt with better.' He maintained that Bangladesh should have played the World Cup.
What was the Mustafizur Rahman IPL controversy?
Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from his IPL 2026 contract with Kolkata Knight Riders, a decision Tamim described as one 'the whole country was disappointed with' and said 'should never have happened.' The episode contributed to the deterioration of BCB-BCCI relations earlier this year.
When could the India-Bangladesh series take place?
No revised dates have been announced. Both boards are reportedly examining gaps in the Future Tours Programme, with any confirmed window likely to emerge toward the end of 2025 or in early 2026.
