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India's tour of Bangladesh in limbo as BCCI yet to confirm participation: 'The discussions are ongoing'
BCCI have also said that India may play Bangladesh in some other window. Image: Reuters
The Indian cricket team's tour of Bangladesh in August for the ODI and T20 series is only a little over a month away, but still, there's no clarity on whether it will take place. In the meantime, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCC) president Aminul Islam on Monday revealed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to confirm the tour.
Team India is scheduled to play a three-match ODI and T20I series against Bangladesh, starting from 17 August. The matches will be played at Mirpur and Chattogram.
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BCCI refuses to confirm Bangladesh tour
However, BCB is still waiting for the green light from the BCCI, which has also indicated that there's a possibility the series may not take place.
'I have already spoken to the BCCI. Discussions have been positive,' Aminul said. 'We remain hopeful. It is scheduled [next month] but they are waiting for some decisions from the government.'
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Aminul added that BCCI has also discussed fulfilling the commitment in the next possible window if the tour doesn't go ahead as planned, but no reasons for why the tour may get cancelled were shared.
'The discussions are ongoing. If for some reason they can't come [in August], they will come at the next available window. We are hopeful of playing in this window. I can't say much apart from the fact that they are very professional and cooperative.'
If reports from May are to be believed, the BCCI may cancel the tour of Bangladesh due to worsening relations between the two countries , triggered in part by a retired Bangladeshi army official's remark about occupying seven states in Northeast India.
After the Phalagam terror attack, Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman of Bangladesh had warned India against attacking Pakistan and threatened military action in Northeast India.
'If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven states of North-East India. In this regard, I think it is necessary to start a discussion on a joint-military system with China," Rahman said in a Facebook post.
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Subsequently, a news report claimed that there's a 'bright possibility' BCCI could cancel the tour to Bangladesh over comments on Northeast India.
'The tour is part of the calendar but nothing is final yet. There is a bright possibility of India not touring Bangladesh for the ODIs and T20Is because of the current situation,' a source told the Times of India.
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