After T20 WC snub, Bangladesh's new sports minister vows to mend sporting ties with India; ‘To maintain good relations’

Former Bangladesh national team footballer and the country's new state minister of youth and sports, Aminul Haque, has promised to mend strained sporting ties with India and other neighbouring countries, immediately after taking oath on Tuesday. Aminul was sworn in after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) came to power following the 12 February elections.

The two countries have had smooth sporting ties, but relations changed after former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was ousted from office last August. While India postponed their tour of Bangladesh last year, matters went out of hand when Mustafizur Rahman was unceremoniously removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) following a BCCI directive, after being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹9.2 crores.

While the BCCI didn't provide a concrete reason for Mustafizur's removal, it is understood that the move was taken on political grounds. As a result, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India to play the T20 World Cup 2026 and requested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) shift its matches to Sri Lanka. After several meetings between BCB and the ICC, the apex body rejected Bangladesh's plea.

Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in Group C. Speaking about sporting relations with India, Aminul outlined his plans to mend ties. “Immediately after taking office, I met with the Deputy High Commissioner of India (Pawankumar Tulshidas Badhe) and discussed resolving the issue through friendly talks," Aminul told reporters.

"We want to maintain good relations with neighbouring countries and address problems in the sports arena through diplomatic dialogue. In cricket, necessary measures will be taken in accordance with ICC rules through discussion,” added Aminul, who represented Bangladesh from 1998 to 2010 and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers the country has produced.

India's tour of Bangladesh postponed to September 2026

Due to the strained political relations, BCCI and BCB mutually agreed to postpone the white-ball series to September 2026, which was scheduled for August last year. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have mutually agreed to defer the white-ball series, three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals, between Bangladesh and India in August 2025 to September 2026.

"This decision has been reached following discussions between the two Boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams," BCCI had said in July 2025.

“The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series. Revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced in due course,” it further added.