Tamim Iqbal 'in discussions with' BCCI to host India in September for white-ball series

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal is hopeful of hosting Team India for a white-ball series in September. The series, comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is, was originally scheduled for September last year. However, political turmoil in Bangladesh and growing tension between the two countries meant the series was pushed back.

The discord between the BCB and the BCCI reached its peak when Bangladesh refused to travel to India to play the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in February-March. Their refusal stemmed from Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) decision to release Mustafizur Rahman from their contracted player list at the instruction of the BCCI.

The BCB cited security concerns for not travelling to India and requested the ICC to shift their matches to a different venue. The ICC conducted a security assessment, including independent reviews and shared its report with the BCB, which suggested no threat to Bangladesh players, officials or fans at any of the tournament venues in India.

The BCB, however, didn't budge and remained firm on its demand to have their matches relocated to a venue outside India. It prompted the ICC to replace Bangladesh with Scotland, the next highest-ranked team in T20Is at the time, after the majority of ICC's member directors voted in favour of removing the Bangla Tigers.

Notably, a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then. Bangladesh now have a new democratically elected government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The Government of India extended its warm wishes to Rahman on assuming his role and has also invited him to attend the 18th BRICS leaders' Summit in September. While Bangladesh is not a part of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), it is a member of BIMSTEC. BIMSTEC is a group of seven member nations, i.e. Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand, formed to promote regional connectivity and cooperation. Bangladesh is currently reviewing the invitation.

Tamim said the BCB is in constant communication with the BCCI and has assured it of the security in Bangladesh.

“Unfortunately, I don't have any news regarding the India series. I am in discussions with the BCCI andthere's an exchange of emails happening between BCB members, and we are trying from all quarters,” Tamim was reported as saying by Cricbuzz.

“Bangladesh's series against India, the excitement is at a different level, I'm sure from journalists, from fans, cricketers, everyone,” he said. “Bangladesh is an extremely safe country, and I am very hopeful that they will come. Whatever steps need to be taken from our side, we are trying. But one thing we all need to understand: I am the BCB president, and there is also a line that I should never cross. So from my position, whatever is possible to do within my responsibility, I am talking to people, I am trying to tell them what advantages there are with the India series and all those things.

“There are certain things that are beyond my control. The discussions I've had so far have been very positive discussions. They also have to make a decision. Very soon, perhaps, we will find out whether the series is happening or not. So we will know very soon,” he added.