The proposed India Bangladesh white ball series has not been officially cancelled, Bangladesh Cricket Board President Tamim Iqbal has said, offering a fresh update on the long delayed tour.
India were originally scheduled to travel to Bangladesh for three One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals during the August September window. However, the series will not take place according to the schedule that had previously been discussed. The two cricket boards are now looking for another suitable window.
Speaking to the YouTube channel Not Out Norman, Tamim said that a decision to completely abandon the series had not been taken. He said the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India remain serious about staging the six matches and are continuing discussions about possible dates.
Tamim's comments indicate that the series has effectively been postponed rather than cancelled. The BCB president said both boards are regularly communicating and trying to identify a period that works for both teams.
The scheduling challenge has become more complicated because both India and Bangladesh have several international commitments. India, for example, are scheduled to play Afghanistan in a three match T20I series beginning on September 13. This makes the originally planned September period difficult for a Bangladesh tour.
The India Bangladesh series was originally scheduled for August 2025 but was mutually deferred by the BCCI and BCB to September 2026, taking into account the international commitments of both teams. The BCCI's official announcement at the time stated that the revised dates and fixtures would be announced later.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the revised timetable, Tamim has maintained a positive outlook. He said the discussions between the two boards have been constructive and that both sides want the series to take place.
The BCB president's latest comments are particularly significant because speculation had increased that the tour could be cancelled completely because of broader tensions between India and Bangladesh. Tamim, however, indicated that the two boards were still exploring possible windows rather than preparing to abandon the series.
The planned series consists of six white ball matches, including three ODIs and three T20Is. If a new window is agreed, the fixtures would provide both teams with additional international preparation ahead of their respective future commitments.
For Bangladesh, hosting India remains an important cricketing opportunity. India are one of the most commercially significant teams in international cricket, and bilateral matches between the two countries attract considerable attention from fans and broadcasters.
For India, the scheduling decision will have to fit around an increasingly crowded international calendar. The team has already been involved in a busy run of international and franchise commitments, making the availability of a suitable window a key factor in determining when the Bangladesh tour can be rescheduled.
Tamim has also stressed that the intention on both sides remains positive. He indicated that there would be little reason to publicly express hope if either board had decided against the series. His comments suggest that discussions are continuing despite the absence of confirmed dates.
The uncertainty over the India series comes at a complicated time for Bangladesh cricket. The country recently faced controversy over its participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and Tamim has separately acknowledged that Bangladesh could have handled that situation differently. The BCB president has said the team should have played the tournament and that negotiations could have been managed more effectively.
The India Bangladesh relationship in cricket has also been affected by developments outside the sport. However, the latest statements from the BCB suggest that both organisations are attempting to keep the bilateral cricket relationship separate from wider issues and continue discussions about the proposed tour.
Earlier this month, the BCB had remained hopeful about the September series but acknowledged that there was no final confirmation. The board said it was in communication with the BCCI and hoped a mutually acceptable arrangement could be reached.
The scheduling problem is largely practical. Bangladesh and India both have crowded calendars, and finding six consecutive white ball fixtures requires coordination with other international series, domestic competitions and player availability.
Another important factor is travel and hosting arrangements. Once new dates are agreed, the BCB will need to finalise venues, broadcasting plans, team logistics and security arrangements. India will likewise need to adjust its international calendar.
The original series was expected to be played across a limited period with the ODIs followed by the T20Is. A new schedule could potentially place the matches later in the year, although neither board has yet announced specific dates.
For players, the series could provide valuable preparation. Three ODIs would give both teams competitive opportunities in the 50 over format, while three T20Is would allow them to assess combinations in the shortest format.
For Bangladesh, playing at home against India would also provide the team with experience against a strong international opponent. For India, the matches could serve as another opportunity to develop the squad ahead of future global tournaments and bilateral commitments.
Tamim's latest statement has therefore eased some of the uncertainty surrounding the proposed tour. While the series will not happen in the originally expected period, the BCB president has made it clear that cancellation has not been decided.
The next step will be for the BCCI and BCB to identify a mutually convenient window. Until official fixtures are announced, the exact dates, venues and match schedule remain uncertain.
The situation also demonstrates the complexity of the modern international cricket calendar. Major teams have commitments across formats throughout the year, while boards must balance bilateral series with global tournaments, domestic leagues and player workload.
The BCB remains hopeful that the six match series can eventually be staged. Tamim has said that both boards are working sincerely towards that outcome and continue to discuss possible options.
For now, India and Bangladesh fans will have to wait for an official announcement on the revised schedule. The key update from Tamim is that the proposed series remains under discussion and has not been formally cancelled.
Once the two boards agree on a suitable window, the revised dates are expected to be communicated officially. Until then, the August September schedule should be treated as postponed rather than cancelled.
The latest development keeps open the possibility of India travelling to Bangladesh for the three ODIs and three T20Is. Both cricket boards remain engaged in discussions, and the final outcome will depend largely on finding a workable place in the international calendar.
The series therefore remains alive, but without a confirmed date. Tamim Iqbal's latest comments provide reassurance to supporters who feared that the tour could disappear from the calendar altogether.