India’s scheduled cricket tour to Bangladesh in August 2025 is facing potential cancellation following controversial remarks made by a retired Bangladeshi army official regarding India’s northeastern states. The comments, which suggested Bangladesh should occupy the region if India attacks Pakistan, have sparked outrage, leading to discussions within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about withdrawing from the tour.
The remarks, made by Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman, have further strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. While Bangladesh’s interim government has distanced itself from Rahman’s statement, the fallout has extended to the sporting world, with Indian cricket officials reportedly considering a boycott.
A report from the Times of India suggests that while the tour remains on the calendar, there is a “bright possibility” that India may opt out of the three-match ODI and T20I series in Bangladesh. The controversy has also cast doubt on the Asia Cup T20 2025, scheduled for September. If India withdraws from the tournament to protest Pakistan’s involvement, the event could be scrapped altogether.
Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has voiced support for a complete boycott of Pakistan in international cricket, a sentiment that has gained traction following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan has urged that politics should not interfere with sports, emphasizing the camaraderie among international cricketers.
As tensions rise, the fate of India’s cricket engagements with Bangladesh and Pakistan remains uncertain, with diplomatic and security concerns taking precedence over sporting commitments. The BCCI is expected to make a final decision in the coming weeks.
