Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Relocated to UAE Amidst Bangladesh Unrest
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the relocation of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The decision follows widespread unrest in Bangladesh, leading to travel advisories from several participating nations.
"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," ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice stated. "I would like to thank the team at the BCB for exploring all avenues to try and enable the event to be hosted in Bangladesh, but travel advisories from the governments of a number of the participating teams meant that wasn't feasible."
The ICC was forced to make a change in venue after nationwide anti-government protests in Bangladesh during July and early August. These demonstrations, which ended with the resignation and flight to India of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were followed by reports of vandalism, looting, and violence across the country.
Despite the Bangladesh government's last-ditch efforts to retain the hosting rights through the United Nations (UN), several countries, including Australia, India, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, issued travel advisories to their citizens, discouraging travel to Bangladesh.
"However, [the BCB] will retain hosting rights," Allardice added. "We look forward to taking an ICC global event to Bangladesh in the near future."
The UAE, along with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, emerged as alternative venues after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined the ICC's offer to host the tournament. The UAE, having previously hosted the 2021 men's T20 World Cup alongside Oman and several qualifying tournaments, has a proven track record in staging international cricket matches. The matches will be held in Dubai and Sharjah.
The ten-team tournament will run from 3rd October to 20th October.
ICC Chairman to Step Down in November
Greg Barclay, the current ICC Chairman, has confirmed that he will step down after his term ends in November. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020 and was re-elected unopposed in 2022.
Nominations for the next ICC Chairman are due by 27th August. If more than two candidates are nominated, an election will be held to determine the new chair, who will take office on 1st December.
