In an attempt to salvage India’s white-ball visit in September and mend frayed relations following Dhaka’s decision to withdraw from the T20 World Cup in India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has contacted the BCCI.
Aminul Islam Bulbul, the president of the BCB, is expected to leave office soon, and talks with the Indian Cricket Board may be initiated by an interim board.
After Mustafizur Rahaman was denied permission by the BCCI to play in the IPL, BCB, which is thought to be led by anti-India hardliner and sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, chose not to send the team to India on the grounds of security concerns.
The ICC rejected BCB’s plea to move their games to Sri Lanka, ruling out any security concerns for the squad in India.
Although cricket relations between India and Bangladesh have historically been friendly, recent developments have caused a noticeable decline.
“Yes, BCB has sent a letter to Indian cricket board. Not only about Indian men’s team’s white ball tour of Bangladesh in September, there is a men’s 50-over Asia Cup which BCB is set to host next year,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
It is understood that the BCB is eager to host India because the money from the linear and digital broadcast rights sales from the six white ball games played by Men in Blue will cover the board’s annual expenses.
Four directors’ resignations during the tenure of BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul were among the many topics on the agenda.
Bulbul’s continuation has caused a great deal of discontent in the cricket corridors of Bangladesh, particularly after he stated that he was powerless to persuade Muhammad Yunus, the chairman of the interim administration, to send the squad to India.
“The investigation committee that is looking into the T20 World Cup non-participation fiasco will present its report to the government on April 9. It would be interesting to find out how Bulbul would be placed once that report is tabled. In that case, an interim board will take over and the re-elections will be held in 90 days. All eyes will also be on Bangladesh’s foreign minister’s visit to Delhi,” PTI quoted another source as saying.
Tamim Iqbal, a former captain of Bangladesh and the nation’s best opener, is thought to be a serious contender for BCB president post.
The BCCI would also not object to Iqbal’s recommendation that the government and BCB refrain from their harsh retaliation.
