The ongoing cross-border tension between India and Pakistan, and now Bangladesh too, could well disrupt the cricket calendar in the sub-continent. The Indian cricket team is scheduled to tour Bangladesh for a limited-overs series, three ODIs and three T20Is, in August but the recent developments could make the tour an unlikely event.
“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,” says a source tracking developments.
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A retired Bangladesh army officer, very close to the current interim government, stirred a major controversy when he suggested the occupation of India’s northeastern states. In a statement on social media, Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman even called for a joint-military system with China.
“If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy 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,” he said in a Facebook post.
In the current scenario, a boycott of the tour by India can’t be ruled out but no concrete decision has been taken in this regard.
Not just the Bangladesh tour, even the 2025 edition of the Asia Cup remains under a cloud because of the terror attack in Pahalgam. The Indian government is talking very tough and playing cricket with the neighbours could be unlikely in the near future.
The Asia Cup, due to be played at a neutral venue, is scheduled to take place right after the Bangladesh series, in September. No venue has been finalised yet but those aware of developments feel it could well be postponed as cricket between India and Pakistan is not ideal at this stage.
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How likely do you think it is that the Asia Cup will be postponed?
Apropos everything, the entire premise of Asia Cup being a valuable tournament falls flat without the guarantee of India playing Pakistan which, in the current situation, looks like an unlikely scenario.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka had hosted the previous edition (2023) of the tournament under a hybrid model, where India were crowned champions. All teams played at least a few games in Pakistan, except for India who played all their games in Sri Lanka.
