India's White-Ball Tour of Bangladesh Nears Approval as Afghanistan T20I Series Likely to Be Rescheduled

According to the proposed schedule circulated internally, India were originally set to begin the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. However, it is reliably understood that talks are in progress to push the start of the series to September 17. The revised dates would provide an adequate window for India to play the six-match white-ball series sought by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The BCB has expressed strong interest in hosting the six-match series during September. Earlier this month, the board put its television and digital media rights up for sale, a move that came one week after India resumed issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi citizens. The visa process had remained suspended for nearly two years following the political turmoil in Bangladesh in 2024.

A senior BCB official said the board remains optimistic despite not yet receiving formal confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The official stated that the BCCI has not yet granted final approval but has also not declined the proposed tour, adding that the Bangladesh board is hopeful of receiving a positive response in the near future.

Sources close to newly elected BCB President Tamim Iqbal said the former Bangladesh captain returned from the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, with encouraging indications regarding the proposed series. The bilateral assignment had originally been scheduled for last year but was postponed because of political tensions between India and Bangladesh.

Following his appointment as a BCB director, Tamim Iqbal had expressed confidence that the series would eventually take place. He said there was a scheduled series against India later this year and that he remained hopeful India would tour Bangladesh. He also noted that bilateral matches between the two countries are highly anticipated by cricket fans in Bangladesh and recalled that Bangladesh had performed well in the previous series against India.

If the remaining approvals are granted, India will travel to Bangladesh for a bilateral series after a gap of four years. The proposed rescheduling of the Afghanistan T20I series reflects ongoing efforts to accommodate the long-awaited tour, which carries significant sporting and bilateral importance following its earlier postponement due to political developments.