Tamim Iqbal on India tour of Bangladesh 2026 [Source: AFP]Former Bangladesh cricketer and sitting BCB president Tamim Iqbal formally invited India to tour Bangladesh for a bilateral series in 2026 amid a strained relationship with the BCCI.Tamim was appointed as BCB chief earlier this year after the previous regime was sacked following Bangladesh’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, which happened after the board’s tiff with the BCCI and ICC.Tamim Iqbal confident of India tour of Bangladesh However, with Tamim Iqbal now in charge, he is confident that the relationship between BCB and BCCI will get better. Talking to the Indian Express, Iqbal said he shares a great rapport with BCCI president Mithun Manhas, as the duo played a lot of cricket together in the IPL and Dhaka League.“I have played a lot of cricket with (current BCCI president) Mithun Manhas. In the IPL, we were in the same team, he has come to Bangladesh many times to play in the Dhaka leagues. Very good rapport. I haven’t had the chance to sit with him in this capacity yet, but I know him well,” Iqbal said.Not only that, Tamim Iqbal insisted that security has never been an issue for the Indian cricket team in Bangladesh and added that the India tour of Bangladesh 2026 should happen, as it's the right way forward.“The country’s security is absolutely brilliant at the moment. There is no issue, no security threat, and it has never been for the Indian cricket team. When India comes here, the whole stadium is packed. People love that contest. I personally don’t think BCB and BCCI have any real issues anymore. A series here would be a great way to take the next step forward,” he added.Also Read - BCCI Issues Official Statement On Tamim Iqbal Taking Over BCB PresidencyIndia tour of Bangladesh 2026 rescheduled For context, the India tour of Bangladesh was originally scheduled for 2025. However, after the Tigers refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, citing security reasons, the bilateral series was postponed.BCCI took a firm stand against BCB’s antics and cancelled the white-ball series. However, after the leadership change within the BCB, it seems the issue may be finally resolved.BCB earlier confirmed that the India tour of Bangladesh 2026 will take place in August-September, comprising 3 ODIs and as many T20Is. However, the BCCI is yet to confirm the same as they weigh the security and other options.Tamim Iqbal is unhappy with the BCBThat being said, during the same interview, Tamim Iqbal also criticised the way BCB’s previous regime handled the T20 World Cup 2026 controversy after the ICC refused to move Bangladesh’s matches out of India. According to Tamim, there was still room for dialogue and compromise, but the board failed to pursue a constructive solution.“I was probably the first to speak out when the (T20) World Cup issue happened. What was done, and how it was handled by the previous Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) administration, was not right. The ICC was lenient, there was room to find a solution. We should have found it,” Tamim also said.Tamim Iqbal said the decision hurt Bangladesh cricket deeply, especially for players who may never get another chance to feature in a World Cup.Also Read - German Model Linked To Virat Kohli Alleges Heaps Of Money Poured In To Defame
