India-Bangladesh Series, Asia Cup 2025 in Jeopardy as Tensions Flare Following Pahalgam Terror Attack - Report

India’s planned white-ball tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for August 2025, faces uncertainty due to escalating diplomatic tensions, according to sources. The series, comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is, might get canceled as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) re-evaluates its participation amid strained relations.

As per a report by the Times of India, this development comes in the wake of controversial remarks by a retired Bangladesh army officer, Major General (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman, who is reportedly close to Bangladesh’s interim government.

He sparked outrage with a provocative social media post, suggesting Bangladesh should occupy India’s northeastern states in the event of an India-Pakistan conflict. 

"If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy seven states of North-East India. In this regard, I think it is necessary to start a discussion on a joint-military system with China," he posted on Facebook.

While a final decision on the series is yet to be taken, there is a high chance that India might choose to not travel to Bangladesh.

"The tour is part of the calendar but nothing is final yet. There is a bright possibility of India not touring Bangladesh for the ODIs and T20Is because of the current situation," a source close to the development said as quoted to TOI.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) faces financial risks if the series is scrapped, as bilateral matches against India generate significant revenue for them.

Also read: India’s First T20I Series in Bangladesh: Full 2025 Tour Schedule Out - Check Details!

Asia Cup 2025 Likely to be Cancelled 

The potential cancellation could disrupt the subcontinent’s cricket calendar, including the Asia Cup later in 2025, which relies heavily on India’s participation from a commercial standpoint.

The venue for the Asia Cup 2025, which will be played in a T20 format, remains undecided. Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates are emerging as frontrunners to host the tournament, but India’s participation is critical to its financial success.

The BCCI’s stance aligns with the government’s strong response to Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

Reportedly, the BCCI have also instructed the International Cricket Council (ICC) to not put India and Pakistan in the same group in the ICC events.

Also read: Pahalgam Attack: How India’s Boycott Could Impact Pakistan’s Cricketing Future?