Bangladesh an extremely safe country: Tamim Iqbal’s promising tour of India will continue

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal remains optimistic that India’s much-anticipated white-ball tour of Bangladesh will go ahead as planned, insisting the country is “extremely safe” while confirming talks are underway with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

India are scheduled 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 it was postponed by mutual agreement between the BCCI and the BCB, with both boards agreeing to move it to September 2026.

At a press conference on Wednesday, July 29, Taim admitted that there was no final confirmation yet, but stressed that every effort was being made to make the series happen.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any news about the Indian series. I am discussing with BCCI and emails are being exchanged between BCB members and we are trying from all sides,” Tamim said.

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

“The Bangladesh series against India, the excitement is on a different level, I’m sure from the journalists, from the fans, from the cricketers, from everyone. Bangladesh is an extremely safe country and I am very hopeful that they will come. Whatever action needs to be taken from our side, we are trying,” he added.

AFGHANISTAN SERIES LIKELY TO MAKE THE WAY

The proposed September window created a scheduling challenge for India, with the Men in Blue originally scheduled to host Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in the same period. The Afghanistan series is expected to be postponed to allow for the tour of Bangladesh, although the final decision will be subject to the approval of the respective governments and the finalization of logistical arrangements.

However, Tamim acknowledged that there are limits to what he can do as BCB president.

“But one thing we all have to understand – I am the BCB president and there is also a line that I should never cross. So from my position, whatever can be done within my responsibility, I am talking to people, trying to tell them the benefits of 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 the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh are set to tour Australia for a two-match Test series.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

Jul 30, 2026 09:54 IST