Bangladesh: As BNP takes political power in Dhaka, BCB hints at better ties with BCCI

New Delhi: Following the recent political change in Bangladesh, there is hope for a thaw in relations between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Bangladesh's newly appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque, has hinted at improving relations with India and promoting cooperation.

What are reasons for ruptured ties?

Tensions between the cricket boards of the two neighboring countries have escalated significantly over the past few months. There were several reasons for this.

Boycott of the 2026 T20 World Cup: The Bangladesh team refused to travel to India for its group-stage matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing security concerns.

Mustafizur Rahman Controversy: Bangladesh's decision was a response to the BCCI's directive asking the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their team.

What are new government and diplomatic initiatives?

Following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) electoral victory in Bangladesh, the new government has expressed its desire to restore relations with India. Sports Minister Aminul Haque, after his swearing-in ceremony, stated that he has initiated diplomatic engagements.

He said, "After the swearing-in ceremony, I met the Indian Deputy High Commissioner at Parliament House. I discussed the T20 World Cup issue with him. He was very friendly, and I also spoke to him in a very cordial manner."

Haque stressed that Dhaka wants to resolve all outstanding disputes as soon as possible to strengthen mutual relations in all areas, including sports. He also lamented that if these diplomatic issues had been resolved earlier, the Bangladesh team would have definitely participated in the World Cup.

What are questions on the BCB leadership?

Aminul Haque not only spoke on international relations but also questioned the legitimacy of the recent BCB elections. He pointed to the position of current board president Aminul Islam, saying the election process was suspect. The minister clarified that the cricket board's affairs fall under ICC regulations, and therefore, they will take any action within the law and regulations.

According to reports, amid the tensions, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul has left the country citing personal reasons, while chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury has also left for Australia. Aminul Haque, himself a former football captain, is now trying to resolve the bitterness between India and Bangladesh through sports. It will be interesting to see in the coming days whether the BCCI and ICC respond positively to this new initiative.