Potential Location Change for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Bangladesh to UAE

New Delhi: Reports indicate that the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 may be relocated from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Initially, Dhaka and Sylhet in Bangladesh were selected as the venues for the tournament, scheduled to take place from October 3 to 20. According to a cricbuzz report, the International Cricket Council (ICC) held a virtual board meeting on Tuesday to discuss the feasibility of hosting the event in Bangladesh. The prevailing circumstances in Bangladesh suggest that the Women’s T20 World Cup may not be able to proceed as planned, prompting considerations of shifting the tournament to the UAE.

The law and order in Bangladesh went for a toss following nationwide protests against the government over a controversial quota system for government jobs which led to former PM Sheikh Hasina resign and flee the country. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon, who was a part of PM Hasina’s cabinet also fled the country.

At this stage, hosting a tournament as big as a World Cup was always in doubt. Earlier, Zimbabwe Cricket expressed interest in hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. It was also reported that India is also in line to host the marquee event, but BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed they won’t host the tournament.

“They [ICC] have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no,” Shah was quoted as saying to TOI. “We’re in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the Women’s ODI World Cup next year. I don’t want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups.”