Bangladesh an extremely safe country: Tamim Iqbal hopeful India tour will go ahead

BCB president Tamim Iqbal remains hopeful that India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh will go ahead in September 2026, insisting the country is "extremely safe" as discussions with the BCCI continue.

In Short

• The six-match series was originally scheduled for August 2025 before being postponed
• India's proposed T20I series against Afghanistan is likely to be postponed
• India last toured Bangladesh in 2022, losing the ODI series and winning the Test series

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal remains optimistic that India's much-anticipated white-ball tour of Bangladesh will go ahead as scheduled, insisting the country is "extremely safe" while confirming that discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are ongoing.

India are due to travel to Bangladesh for a six-match white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour was originally scheduled for August 2025 but was deferred by mutual agreement between the BCCI and the BCB, with both boards agreeing to move it to September 2026.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, July 29, Tamim admitted there was no final confirmation yet but stressed that every effort was being made to ensure the series takes place.

"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," Tamim said.

The former Bangladesh captain also sought to allay any concerns over security.

"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," he added.

AFGHANISTAN SERIES LIKELY TO MAKE WAY

The proposed September window has created a scheduling challenge for India, with the Men in Blue originally slated to host Afghanistan for a three-match T20I series during the same period. To accommodate the Bangladesh tour, the Afghanistan series is expected to be postponed, although the final decision remains subject to approvals from the respective governments and the completion of logistical arrangements.

Tamim, however, acknowledged that there were limits to what he could do as BCB president.

"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," he said.

India last toured Bangladesh in 2022 for a series comprising three ODIs and two Tests. While Bangladesh clinched the ODI series 2-1, India bounced back to sweep the Test series 2-0. India are currently preparing for their upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh are set to tour Australia for a two-match Test series.

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