Women’s T20 World Cup likely to be moved from Bangladesh to UAE

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from October 3 to 20, is set to be moved to the UAE. This decision follows a virtual International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting held on Tuesday.

Reasons for Relocation

  • Current Situation in Bangladesh:
    • Bangladesh has been facing significant internal unrest, including student protests and political instability. The ongoing violence and recent fatalities have raised concerns about the safety and appropriateness of hosting the tournament in the country.
  • Feedback from Board Members:
    • The majority view from the ICC Board was that the event could not be held in Bangladesh under the current circumstances. Concerns were highlighted about the impact of hosting the tournament amidst such turmoil.
  • Player Concerns:
    • Australia’s Alyssa Healy voiced her discomfort with playing in Bangladesh at this time. She expressed that hosting the World Cup there could divert resources away from addressing the country’s pressing issues.

Decision and Next Steps

  • Agreement to Shift:
    • The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reportedly agreed to the shift of the tournament to the UAE while continuing as the official host.
  • Alternative Locations:
    • The UAE emerged as the preferred choice due to its favorable weather conditions and similar time zone to Bangladesh. Although Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka had shown interest, the UAE was deemed the most suitable option.
  • BCCI’s Stance:
    • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to host the tournament due to weather concerns and the proximity of the Women’s ODI World Cup next year.