India’s scheduled white-ball tour to Bangladesh this August may not go ahead, according to a report by Indian daily The Times of India, which cites rising political tensions as a reason for uncertainty. Although the bilateral series—comprising three ODIs and three T20Is—is more than three months away, concerns are already emerging over whether the tour will proceed as planned under the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).
The report attributes the potential cancellation to a controversial social media post by a former senior Bangladeshi military officer, Major General (Retd.) A L M Fazlur Rahman, who currently chairs the National Independent Investigation Commission formed after the BDR mutiny and is also a former Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). In his post, Rahman stated that if India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should consider occupying the seven northeastern states of India and, if needed, consult China for a joint military initiative.
While the remarks are personal, Indian media suggests they could cast a shadow over the cricketing relations between the two nations. The Indian outlet quoted an unnamed source saying, “Though the tour is a part of the FTP, nothing has been finalized yet. Due to the current situation, India may skip the tour to Bangladesh. This seems like the most likely outcome.”
In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly issued a statement distancing the government from Rahman’s comments. The ministry clarified, “The recent remarks made by Major General (Retd.) A L M Fazlur Rahman are entirely his personal opinions. They do not reflect the position or policy of the Government of Bangladesh.”
The statement further emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to international norms, reiterating its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and its firm dedication to principles of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Despite the government’s official stance, the diplomatic sensitivities around the remarks may still influence India’s final decision. As of now, the fate of the much-anticipated cricket series remains uncertain.