Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal has said that the board remains hopeful of hosting India for a white-ball series in September. The proposed tour, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is, is still subject to several factors and has not yet been officially confirmed.
Political tensions between the two countries have cast doubt over the series in recent months. However, recent reports suggest that the tour could still go ahead if the necessary conditions are met. Earlier, cricketing
ties between the two nations hit a low point when Bangladesh opted out of participating in the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns.
“Unfortunately, I don't have any news regarding the India series. I am in discussions with the BCCI and there's an exchange of emails happening between BCB members, and we are trying from all quarters. Bangladesh's series against India, the excitement is at a different level, I'm sure from journalists, from fans, cricketers, everyone. 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,” said Iqbal as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“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.
Iqbal, who was recently appointed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Franchise League Committee, said that leading the body responsible for overseeing franchise cricket leagues is a matter of immense pride for both him and Bangladesh. He added that he was pleased with the outcome of his first ICC meeting, expressing satisfaction with how the discussions and proceedings unfolded.
"If you look at world cricket right now, along with cricket board members with the ICC, there are many others who are associate members as well — 90-plus probably or 100. So various countries are probably applying for T20 cricket in various leagues,” said Iqbal.
“This whole thing — to look after whether the process is being maintained or not, who is involved, who is not involved, whether we are going to approve them, or whether there is anything happening in the currently existing leagues that shouldn't be happening, or disapproving those leagues, and everything else — the committee has been formed for this. I don't think I should share each and every detail, but this is a very significant committee, and this committee will probably play a very big part going forward," he concluded.
