Will enhance security for India series if required: Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed

Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Bangladesh Cricket Board's security committee chairman, said on Tuesday that the board was ready to enhance their security activities for the India series planned for September.

The BCB earlier told Cricbuzz that they were hopeful about hosting India despite the earlier uncertainty and as a result decided to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) for its 2026 and 2027 home internationals, with a specific mention of India's 2026 tour.

With no T20Is scheduled for India's tour of Sri Lanka in August as opposed to the earlier discussions, it strongly suggests that doubts over the possibility of India touring Bangladesh are beginning to fade.

Bangladesh and India have had a strained relationship in the recent past that forced the then Yunus-led government to withdraw their participation in the last T20 World Cup in India citing security issues.

Ibrahim, the son of Bangladesh's present home minister Salahuddin Ahmed, insisted that they are leaving no stone unturned to provide high-scale security for the touring Indian side while adding that they will enhance it if required.

"Security is always a concern for every touring side, especially for the major cricketing nations. We have not yet formally started communication with them (BCCI). We are hopeful there will be no complaints if the tour takes place as planned," Ibrahim told reporters in Dhaka on Tuesday.

"We always try to organise our events in a controlled environment and ensure the highest standards of security. We will continue to do that."

"It (security measures) will depend on the situation (during the India series) and if required we will enhance the security," he said.

"There has been no such positive message yet (with the BCCI) and we are still working out the details of the tour. We are trying to establish communication through our formal channels because the tour is coming up very soon," he added.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim said that preparations to host the 2027 Asia Cup have begun, with Mirpur, Chattogram and Sylhet emerging as the three proposed venues.

According to the board director, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has sought detailed information on the proposed venues for the 50-over Asia Cup, scheduled to be held from June 18 to July 4, 2027.

"We have been contacted, and they (ACC) have asked us for detailed information about the three proposed venues. We hope to formalize the matter within the next few days," said Ibrahim.

There has also been speculation over the inclusion of Bogura's Shaheed Chandu Stadium, but Ibrahim said its chances depend on the venue being fully prepared in time.

"We are working on the Bogura venue. Managing the venue properly is a separate matter. For now however, the focus is on Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram," he said.

Bangladesh last hosted the Asia Cup in 2016, when the tournament was played in the T20 format, and the hosts finished as runners-up. If confirmed, the 2027 edition will be the first major international tournament organized under the Tamim Iqbal-led BCB.

"We are hopeful that each of these venues will host at least one match. We will be able to share more over the next few days once the decision is finalised. We are optimistic that the Asia Cup will return to Bangladesh after so many years. We want to deliver a successful tournament for the fans and everyone who loves the game," Ibrahim added.