With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup approaching, the unstable political situation in Bangladesh has raised concerns about the tournament’s conduct. Following violent protests and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the possibility of relocating the event has become a topic of serious consideration. Despite the ongoing and what looks like a long unrest ahead, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sought security assurances from the Army Chief to retain the hosting rights.
Amid the current emergency imposed by the provisional government, the BCB reached out to the Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, on Thursday, seeking a guarantee for the tournament’s security. The event is slated to begin with warm-up games on September 27, followed by the main matches from October 3 to October 20.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and has shortlisted alternative host nations, including India, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka, should the tournament need to be relocated. These countries are considered suitable due to their similar time zones to Bangladesh.
In the wake of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus was appointed chief advisor to the interim government on August 8, tasked with managing the country’s affairs until elections are held. Several BCB board directors, including President Nazmul Hassan, were forced to leave the country due to their association with Hasina’s Awami League party. However, some board members remain in Dhaka, holding out hope for hosting the prestigious event.
Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu, BCB’s Umpire Committee chairman on Thursday, mentioned that they are making efforts to host the tournament, but highlighted the challenge of not having many people available in the country. He noted that on August 8, a letter was sent to the Army Chief seeking assurance regarding the security for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, emphasizing the urgency with only two months left to prepare.
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He mentioned, “We are trying to host the tournament, to be honest, there are not too many among us present in the country and on Thursday (August 8) we have sent a letter to the Army Chief regarding assurance about the security of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as we have only two months in hand.”
He further added that the ICC had communicated with them two days prior, and they responded by saying they would provide an update soon. He explained that now, even after the formation of the interim government, they still need to assure the ICC of security, which can only be provided by a law enforcement agency. To address this, they sent a letter to the Army today, and once they receive written assurance from them, they will inform the ICC.
Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu asserted, “ICC communicated with us two days back and we replied that we will come back to them shortly. Today after the [interim] government is formed, still we have to give them assurance of security considering it cannot be given by the board or any anyone else apart from a law enforcement agency of the country and so we sent the letter today and after getting written assurance from them [the Army] we will inform the ICC.”
The ten-team Women’s T20 World Cup is set to feature 23 matches over 18 days, taking place from October 3 to 20, at two venues in Bangladesh: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. Group A includes defending champions Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, while Group B consists of England, South Africa, Bangladesh, Scotland, and the West Indies. The ICC is expected to make a final decision on the tournament’s venue by August 10 after evaluating the situation in Bangladesh.
(Quotes sourced from Cricbuzz)