The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has initiated the process for acquiring worldwide media rights for upcoming bilateral international home series involving the Bangladesh National Cricket Team (Men) in 2026–27. The board has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) along with financial offers from various entities, including TV broadcasters, digital platforms, marketing agencies, consortiums, and firms.
These media rights cover a series of significant home fixtures scheduled to be hosted in Bangladesh. Among the tours explicitly mentioned in the tender document is India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2026, which is slated to include three One Day Internationals (ODI) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20i). This particular series has garnered attention, especially in the context of previous cricketing and diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Upcoming Home Series and Renewed Hopes
The tender document outlines several key series for which media rights are being sought. In addition to the India tour, the list includes the West Indies Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2026, featuring two Test matches. The following year, 2027, will see the England Team’s Tour of Bangladesh for two Test matches, and the Pakistan Team’s Tour of Bangladesh, comprising five ODIs.
The decision by the BCB to commence the sale of these media rights is seen as a positive development, particularly for the cricketing relationship between India and Bangladesh. There were previous tensions that led to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cancelling a six-game white-ball series scheduled for August 2025. This cancellation was reportedly due to packed international commitments and followed diplomatic strains between the two countries.
The previous year saw a series of events, including extradition demands, protests in Dhaka, and issues surrounding cricketer Mustafizur Rahman’s involvement with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Additionally, Bangladesh had reportedly declined participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 citing security concerns. The BCB had also paused the sale process of its media rights for two years after the BCCI cancelled the 2025 tour.
The current tender, which specifically mentions the India tour, suggests a potential normalisation of cricketing ties. The BCCI had previously declined a request from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for an additional three T20 Internationals in India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, a decision that is now being viewed in the context of India’s potential visit to Bangladesh.
Bidding Process and Diplomatic Context
The formal bidding process for these media rights is scheduled to begin on July 2, with a reported deadline for submissions set for July 22. The BCB has communicated this tender to Indian broadcasters, inviting expressions of interest for matches in 2026 and 2027.
The tender document, which has been accessed, explicitly lists India’s tour among the bilateral home series for which worldwide media rights are being sought. This includes the Men in Blue’s three ODIs and three T20I games. The availability of the full EOI document at the BCB’s Dhaka office commenced on July 2.
The postponement of the six-match white-ball tour last year was attributed to diplomatic strain between the two nations. However, recent developments, including shifts in leadership within Bangladesh’s government and the cricket board, have created a new environment. The BCCI has stated that its decisions regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events are guided by directives from the Indian government, rather than internal political changes in other countries.
The BCCI secretary clarified that the board’s role is to run cricket and follow the policies set by the Government of India concerning international sporting events. The resumption of the media rights sale by the Bangladesh board has led to expectations that the Indian cricket board may have privately approved the series, given the financial significance of an India tour for the BCB.
The tender document explicitly invites proposals from established broadcasters, digital platforms, and marketing agencies interested in acquiring worldwide media rights for a set of bilateral home series, with India’s tour prominently featured.
Significance for Cricket Relations
The re-initiation of the media rights sale by the BCB holds significant importance for the cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh. The previous cancellation of the 2025 series had led to a pause in the media rights sale process, making the current tender a crucial step towards rebuilding and strengthening the cricketing calendar between the two countries.
The inclusion of India’s tour in the media rights tender suggests a move towards normalising the cricketing schedule, which had been impacted by various issues. The BCB is seeking to secure comprehensive media coverage for these high-profile home series, indicating a strategic effort to ensure the visibility and financial viability of these international fixtures.
The tender specifically covers the India Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2026, which will feature three ODIs and three T20is.
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Source: tigercricket.com.bd
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
