The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has escalated its push to salvage India's scheduled white-ball tour of Bangladesh in September, with board president Tamim Iqbal turning to the government for help as official confirmation from New Delhi continues to elude the series.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, Tamim, accompanied by BCB Security Committee chairman Sayeed Ibrahim, met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday, requesting that the Bangladesh government initiate formal communication with its Indian counterparts. The objective is to personally reassure India that Bangladesh is fully prepared to host the six-match series, which is expected to comprise three ODIs and three T20Is.

BCB seeks government's help

Tamim acknowledged that the meeting took place but declined to elaborate on the discussions, as per the report. BCB officials are understood to have urged government representatives to engage directly with India, with the board still awaiting formal confirmation regarding the tour.

Earlier this week, Tamim struck a hopeful but realistic tone, saying the board remained optimistic the series would go ahead while conceding there were limits to what the BCB could do alone. He indicated that certain matters were beyond the board's control and would have to be addressed at government level — a stance that has now translated into direct action with Thursday's meeting.

A tour long in limbo

The proposed Bangladesh-India series was originally scheduled for 2024 but was postponed following political unrest in Bangladesh. Although it was subsequently pushed to 2025, strained relations between the two cricket boards kept the tour in doubt, leaving one of the subcontinent's biggest bilateral fixtures without a firm place on the calendar.

Geopolitical developments fuel fresh optimism

There is, however, renewed belief that the series could finally take place, aided by recent diplomatic movement between Dhaka and New Delhi. India has reportedly invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in September — the same month the tour is slated for — while Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman recently said the two nations had agreed to reset bilateral relations on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual interests following a meeting with India's new High Commissioner.

Commercial plans on hold

The uncertainty has also stalled the BCB's commercial agenda. The board is yet to issue its Expression of Interest (EOI) despite having completed the valuation process, with officials believed to be waiting for greater clarity on India's tour before proceeding with the next commercial steps.

For now, Bangladesh cricket's top brass remains hopeful that diplomatic progress will translate into sporting action, with Tamim leading the effort to ensure the bilateral series finally returns to the calendar after more than a year of delays.