India-Bangladesh Series Still On: BCB Chief Tamim Iqbal Says Talks With BCCI Continue

The long-pending white-ball series between India and Bangladesh may have been pushed out of its September window, but hopes of the contest taking place remain alive, with both cricket boards continuing discussions to find a suitable date.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal said the proposed three ODIs and three T20Is will not be played in September as originally planned, with India already scheduled to face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series from September 13.

However, Tamim insisted that the India series has not been called off. Speaking to YouTube channel Not Out Norman, he said the BCCI and BCB are regularly discussing possible windows and working towards finding dates that fit their packed international schedules.

Tamim said the positive intent shown by both boards gave him reason to remain optimistic. According to him, if either side was unwilling to play the series, there would be little point in continuing discussions.

The proposed series assumes added significance after relations between the two cricket boards became strained ahead of the T20 World Cup in India earlier this year, which Bangladesh withdrew from citing security concerns.

The dispute intensified after Bangladesh all-rounder Mustafizur Rahman was released from his IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders by the BCCI, a decision that drew considerable criticism in Bangladesh.

Tamim acknowledged the frustration surrounding the incident but said Bangladesh should nevertheless have handled the situation differently and participated in the World Cup. He maintained that negotiations should have continued rather than allowing sporting ties to reach a breaking point.

The BCB chief also argued that sport should, at times, remain separate from political tensions, pointing to international sporting engagements continuing even amid serious geopolitical conflicts.

With the September window now effectively unavailable, the focus is on whether the two boards can identify another opening in an increasingly crowded cricket calendar.