Women’s T20 World Cup moved to UAE amid Bangladesh crisis

Bangladesh will no longer host the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup this October, with civil unrest causing the ICC to shift the event to the United Arab Emirates.

Anti-government protests have been occurring in Bangladesh since July, with the nation’s own prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, resigning her position and fleeing to India.

As a result, a number of cricket-playing nations have issued travel advisories against visiting Bangladesh, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and India.

Bangladesh had previously appealed to the United Nations for security assistance ahead of the World Cup, but this was unsuccessful.

Bangladesh retain host status despite venue change

Despite the tournament moving to the UAE, the ICC has confirmed in a statement that Bangladesh will retain hosting rights.

“It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board would have staged a memorable event,” said Geoff Allardice, CEO of the ICC.

“However, they will retain hosting rights.

“We look forward to taking an ICC global event to Bangladesh in the near future.

“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.”

UAE step up to the plate again

This is not the first time the UAE has stepped up at the last minute to host an ICC event.

In 2021, when COVID-19 led to India being unable to host the Men’s T20 World Cup, the Arab nation held the event instead.

While both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe offered to host this year’s tournament, the UAE was seen as the more suitable option by the ICC.

“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,” Allardice said.

“We look forward to seeing ICC global events in both of those countries in 2026.”

Australia are heavy favourites to win the Women’s T20 World Cup, paying just -138.89 at bookmaker BetOnline.

India (+333) and England (+450) hold the next lines of betting at most cricket bookmakers.

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