The Bangladesh Cricket Board has postponed its scheduled tour of Ireland in September, opting instead to prioritise a high-profile white-ball series against India during the same window, according to reports.
The decision follows scheduling constraints, with Cricket Ireland confirming that it was unable to accommodate a revised fixture list within the 2026 calendar. As a result, both boards have mutually agreed to defer the series, with discussions underway to identify a new window, likely in 2027.
India, whose tour of Bangladesh had originally been planned for 2025, is now expected to visit from August 28 for a six-match white-ball series. The itinerary includes three One Day Internationals (ODIs) scheduled for September 1, 3, and 6, followed by three T20 Internationals on September 9, 12, and 13.
A senior BCB official stated that the request to reschedule the Ireland tour was made after the India series was shifted to September. However, logistical limitations on the Irish side prevented any adjustment within the current year. Both boards have since agreed to revisit the series at a later date.
The development comes at a crucial time for Bangladesh, who are currently ranked ninth in the ICC ODI team standings with 79 rating points, following a recent 2–1 home series victory over Pakistan. To secure direct qualification for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup—set to be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia—Bangladesh must finish within the top eight of the rankings by March 31, 2027.
Teams that fall outside the top eight will be required to compete in a qualifying tournament, making each ODI series in the lead-up period critically important.
With the Ireland tour postponed, Bangladesh’s schedule now includes upcoming home series against New Zealand, Australia, and India, alongside away tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe. However, uncertainty remains over the India series, which is subject to clearance from the Government of India amid ongoing diplomatic considerations.
Any further delay to the India tour could significantly impact Bangladesh’s ODI calendar, potentially limiting their opportunities to accumulate ranking points ahead of the World Cup qualification deadline.
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