ICC moves Women’s T20 World Cup to UAE due to unrest in Bangladesh

PTC News Desk: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be relocated from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This decision comes in response to ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, which has made it challenging to ensure a safe and secure environment for the tournament.

The ninth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, previously scheduled to be held in Bangladesh, will now take place across two prominent venues in the UAE—Dubai and Sharjah—from October 3 to 20, 2024. Despite the venue change, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will continue to retain the hosting rights for the event.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed his disappointment over the relocation. In a statement, he acknowledged the efforts of the BCB and stated, “It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would have staged a memorable event.” He assured that the ICC is eager to bring an ICC event to Bangladesh in the future, reflecting the council’s ongoing commitment to global cricket development.

Also Read: Badlapur assault case: Child rights commission to investigate Badlapur assault as internet restored following protests

Allardice also extended his gratitude to the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host the tournament on behalf of the BCB. He acknowledged the support from Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the cricketing community. “I’d also like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host on behalf of the BCB, and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous offers of support. We look forward to seeing ICC global events in both of those countries in 2026,” Allardice added.

The UAE, which houses the ICC headquarters, has become a significant cricket hub in recent years. It has hosted various qualifier tournaments and was one of the co-hosts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021, alongside Oman. The region’s modern facilities and infrastructure make it a suitable alternative for international cricket events.

The ICC’s decision ensures that the Women’s T20 World Cup will proceed as planned, while addressing the current challenges in Bangladesh.

Also Read: US Presidential election: Barack Obama on President Kamala Harris: ‘Yes, she can’ as US prepares for new chapter