3 weeks ago
Cloud over India's Bangladesh tour as diplomatic tensions mount
Cricket is a very popular game played between two teams from different countries.
India and Bangladesh are neighboring countries that both love cricket.
India planned to visit Bangladesh to play some cricket games in early September.
But the two countries are not getting along very well right now.
Some leaders in Bangladesh are upset because the person who used to lead Bangladesh is now in India and is giving speeches.
Bangladesh says India should not be friends with it if it lets that person give speeches.
Because of this, India might cancel the trip.
The cricket group in Bangladesh is sad because it really wanted the games to happen and was counting on the money they would bring.
The games would also have excited fans, players, and journalists.
Everyone is still talking about it, but no one is sure the games will happen.
India's proposed limited-overs series in Bangladesh — three ODIs and three T20Is — scheduled for early September appears to be a non-starter.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaiting clearance from India's external affairs ministry for the tour.
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said India cannot seek a friendly relationship with Bangladesh while allowing ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make statements.
BCB president Tamim Iqbal said he is in discussions with the BCCI and remains hopeful, insisting Bangladesh is an extremely safe country.
The tour's cancellation would be a huge financial blow to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, which also skipped the T20 World Cup earlier this year citing security reasons.
- Who
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- What
- India's proposed limited-overs cricket series in Bangladesh (three ODIs and three T20Is) in early September, which appears unlikely to go ahead due to diplomatic and political tensions.
- Where
- Bangladesh, the proposed host of the series, and India.
- When
- The series was proposed for early September; reports of uncertainty emerged recently.
- Why
- Diplomatic and political tensions, including Bangladesh's objection to ousted PM Sheikh Hasina making statements, and strained ties after Bangladesh skipped the T20 World Cup citing security reasons.
Pro-Tour (Bangladesh Cricket Board)
Cautious (India / Diplomacy)
Whether the tour should go ahead
Pro-Tour (Bangladesh Cricket Board)
BCB president Tamim Iqbal says Bangladesh is extremely safe, that he is in discussions with the BCCI, and that he is trying everything within his responsibility to make the India series happen, citing the excitement it brings to fans, players, and journalists.
Cautious (India / Diplomacy)
India appears reluctant: the BCCI is awaiting external affairs ministry clearance, and sources say not many are hopeful of a breakthrough given the recent political turmoil.
Sheikh Hasina's statements from India
Pro-Tour (Bangladesh Cricket Board)
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says India cannot seek a friendly relationship with Bangladesh while allowing ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make statements.
Cautious (India / Diplomacy)
India has not publicly responded; the BCCI is awaiting ministerial clearance, leaving the decision on the tour unresolved.
Key facts
- Proposed series
- 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in Bangladesh
- Scheduled for
- Early September
- Status
- Appears to be a non-starter; BCCI awaiting external affairs ministry clearance
- Bangladesh Cricket Board president
- Tamim Iqbal
- Bangladesh home minister
- Salahuddin Ahmed
- Key sticking point
- Bangladesh's objection to ousted PM Sheikh Hasina making statements
- Financial impact
- Cancellation would be a huge blow to BCB revenues
Quotes
Tamim Iqbal
President of Bangladesh Cricket Board
“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.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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