BCCI turns down request to host Women’s T20 World Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected the offer by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 amid political unrest in Bangladesh.

The upcoming tournament is originally scheduled to be played in Bangladesh in October, but due to the ongoing unrest in the country, the ICC is considering relocating the tournament.

Due to travel advisories from multiple countries advising against travel to Bangladesh, the ICC asked India to host the tournament. However, the request was declined by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.

“They [ICC] have asked us if we would conduct the [Women’s T20] World Cup. I have categorically said no,” Shah told the Times of India.

“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.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

After India rejected the offer, ICC is considering  Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the potential alternative hosts.

For the unversed, the unrest in Bangladesh led to the dethroning of the Sheikh Hasina government.

The new interim government is making an effort to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as per schedule, but the governments of participating teams are reluctant to send their teams to Bangladesh.

“The ICC is closely monitoring developments in coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB], their security agencies and our own independent security consultants,” an ICC statement said. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants.”

READ: Lamine Yamal offers Barcelona hope ahead of daunting La Liga challenge