As the excitement builds for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled in Bangladesh this October, concerns over the security situation in the host country have surfaced, prompting caution from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Recent unrest in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, where protests by students demanding reforms in the government job quota system have escalated, has caught international attention. The situation led to the imposition of a curfew by Bangladesh Police, with military forces deployed to maintain order.
An ICC Board member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the organization is closely monitoring the security developments in Bangladesh. “We have independent security monitoring across the world. So, yes, we are keeping a watch on it (the situation in Bangladesh),” the member stated.
Despite these concerns, preparations for the Women’s T20 World Cup continue persistently. Bangladesh, known for its avid cricket following, was chosen as the venue for this prestigious event. The tournament will feature some of the top teams in women’s cricket, including reigning champions Australia, who have clinched the title six times.
Teams like England and the West Indies, who have each secured the title once, along with India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will be aiming to secure their maiden T20 World Cup victory. Currently, India is participating in the Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, viewing it as crucial preparation ahead of the global tournament.
“The Asia Cup is important for us because after this, we don’t have many matches (ahead of T20 WC) and we will have to rely on practice,” mentioned Indian pacer Renuka Singh. “This is a learning experience for us, and the conditions (in Bangladesh) could be similar. So, this is a good chance for us to get ready for the World Cup.”
With the ICC’s assurance of monitoring the security situation closely and the teams focusing on their preparations, all eyes are set on Bangladesh as it gears up to host the Women’s T20 World Cup amongst ongoing security concerns.
