Bangladesh's New Government Aims to Mend Cricket and Diplomatic Relations with India

In a significant move towards restoring bilateral ties, Aminul Haque, the freshly appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports in Bangladesh, has voiced the government's commitment to resolving longstanding issues with India, particularly in the realm of sports.

Bangladesh's decision to skip the ongoing T20 World Cup—replaced by Scotland—stems from security concerns cited by the Yunus-led interim government that took power after the ousting of the Awami League regime in July 2024. This absence has been perceived as a low point in India-Bangladesh relations, exacerbated by political shifts including the recent general election where the Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a majority.

Speaking to reporters after his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, Aminul detailed a constructive meeting with India's Deputy High Commissioner at the Parliament building. "After attending the oath-taking ceremony today, I met with the Deputy High Commissioner of India... I told him that we want to resolve this issue quickly through discussions because we want to maintain friendly relations with all our neighboring countries. From sports to all other sectors, we want to build a sincere and cordial relationship," Aminul stated.

He acknowledged the diplomatic hurdles that prevented participation: "You know that because of diplomatic complications, we could not play in the World Cup. If those issues had been discussed and settled earlier, our team might have participated."

Reforms in Cricket Administration

Aminul also addressed internal challenges within Bangladesh cricket, criticizing the previous Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election that installed Aminul Islam as president. "Regarding the Cricket Board election, I have said before and I still say that it was questionable," he remarked. He assured that matters would be handled within ICC regulations through dialogue and proper review.

Emphasizing a non-political approach to sports, Aminul said, "I cannot change everything in one day. It is not possible. Long-standing practices take time to reform, and I will need your cooperation as well. I want to ensure that sports are not politicized or turned into partisan platforms. Those who truly love sports and the sporting community should be given responsibilities in different sectors."

Pathway for Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza's Return

In a bid to bolster the national cricket setup, the minister pledged to address legal cases against former captains Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza, who have been sidelined following the political upheaval. Both players, associated with the previous government, face charges that Aminul described as requiring "state-level" intervention.

"As for Shakib and Mashrafe, this is a state-level decision. They are legendary cricketers of Bangladesh, and we deeply appreciate their contributions. However, there are cases filed against them, and those will need to be addressed through proper state decisions. We want them to return to Bangladesh as soon as possible," Aminul affirmed.

These developments signal a proactive stance from the new BNP-led government to heal rifts, both domestically in sports governance and internationally with key neighbor India, potentially paving the way for smoother cricketing engagements in the future.