Cricket Diplomacy in Limbo: India-Bangladesh Strained Ties Freeze Matches

Rising tensions between India and Bangladesh have stalled a planned cricket series, originally set for September. Despite announcements by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the BCCI expresses reluctance due to Bangladesh's unstable political climate. Tensions echo the icy cricket relations between India and Pakistan, worsened by ongoing political violence in Bangladesh.

The diplomatic rift between India and Bangladesh has cast a long shadow over their bilateral cricket dealings, with the BCCI showing little inclination to visit Bangladesh. This move disrupts the six-match white-ball series announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for September.

The BCB had outlined a packed schedule beginning in late August, proposing three ODIs and three T20Is in the first half of September. However, the BCCI's reluctance is tied to the turbulent political climate in Bangladesh, which has been rocked by violent unrest for six months.

Such a freeze in cricket ties resonates with the frosty cricketing relationship India shares with Pakistan. Both countries only engage at neutral venues due to political tensions. The Indo-Pak T20 World Cup match will play out in Sri Lanka amid these diplomatic tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)