Dhaka, April 4 The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has approached the BCCI to salvage India's white-ball tour in September and repair strained relations, following Dhaka's decision to withdraw from the T20 World Cup in India.
It is understood that the BCB, under the leadership of president Aminul Islam Bulbul, may soon face a leadership change, and an interim board may begin discussions with the Indian cricket board.
The BCB, reportedly run by sports ministry advisor and anti-India hardliner Asif Nazrul, decided not to send the team to India, citing security concerns after Mustafizur Rahman was not allowed to play in the IPL by the BCCI.
The BCB requested that their matches be held in Sri Lanka, but the ICC found no merit in this, ruling out any security concerns in India for the team.
The Indo-Bangla cricket ties have traditionally been cordial, but recent developments have led to a significant deterioration.
"Yes, the BCB has sent a letter to the Indian cricket board. Not only about the Indian men's team's white-ball tour of Bangladesh in September, but also about the upcoming 50-over Asia Cup, which the BCB is set to host next year," a BCCI source told
It is understood that the BCB is desperate to host India because the six white-ball matches played by the "Men in Blue" will generate significant revenue for the board, particularly from linear and digital broadcast rights sales.
Tamim in line for BCB presidency?
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The BCB, among other things, has discussed the resignation of four directors during Aminul Islam Bulbul's tenure as president.
There is strong resentment within the Bangladesh cricket establishment about Bulbul's continued leadership, especially after he expressed his inability to convince interim government head Muhammad Yunus to send the team 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 will be interesting to see how Bulbul's position will be after that report is presented. In that case, an interim board will take over, and re-elections will be held in 90 days. All eyes will also be on Bangladesh's foreign minister's visit to Delhi," said a source tracking developments.
It is understood that former Bangladesh captain and country's greatest opener Tamim Iqbal could be a strong candidate for the BCB presidency.
Iqbal, who has urged the government and the BCB to adopt a prudent and practical approach, is a choice that the Indian cricket board would likely also welcome.