Amid ongoing concerns about the possible relocation of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup due to the unstable political situation in Bangladesh, Australian skipper Alyssa Healy voiced her apprehensions about playing the tournament there in October, emphasizing that, it “might not be the right thing to do” given the current unrest and the tragic loss of lives.
The ICC is actively exploring alternative host countries for the Women’s T20 World Cup, with the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka as potential backup venues. Zimbabwe has also put itself forward as a possible host if the tournament needs to be relocated from Bangladesh, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) clearing its stance to the ICC against hosting the event.
With the recent violent protests and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the possibility of relocating the tournament has become a serious consideration. The Bangladesh Army has assured the necessary security measures for the World Cup, addressing one of the major concerns. Despite this, Australian skipper Alyssa Healy has expressed her reluctance to play in Bangladesh, citing Australian government travel warnings. Australia, the defending champion, has won the last three tournaments. As planning continues, the ICC is expected to make a decision soon, potentially during the upcoming board meeting on Tuesday.
Alyssa Healy expressed her concerns on Monday in Sydney, about the prospect of holding a cricket event in Bangladesh amidst the country’s ongoing struggles. She mentioned that it would be difficult for her to support such an event, as it could divert essential resources from the people who need them most. Healy emphasized that, as a human being, playing cricket in Bangladesh right now might not be the right thing to do, given the larger issues at hand. She stressed that the decision should be left to the ICC and the relevant authorities to determine what is best for the situation.
Healy expressed, “I’d find it really hard to see a cricket event going on over there at the moment and taking away resources from a country that is really struggling, and they need everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying, I’d find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment. I’d feel, as a human being, like it might be the wrong thing to do.”
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Given the ongoing unrest, the ICC has confirmed that it is actively exploring alternative options for hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup. The governing body has emphasized its commitment to the safety and well-being of all participants. In a statement, the ICC highlighted its close coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, stating, “Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved. The ICC is closely monitoring developments in collaboration with the Bangladesh Cricket Board.”
It comes months after Healy and the Australians traveled there as part of their World Cup preparation and were untroubled in six matches against their hosts. Despite going to that extra level to prepare for the tournament, Healy was adamant the Australians could play wherever the World Cup was hosted. Alyssa Healy is expressing confidence and calmness about her team’s adaptability. She suggests that regardless of where the World Cup is held, her team has the right players to adjust to any situation or conditions.
Alyssa expressed, “We’re pretty relaxed as a group about what it looks like, I feel like wherever the World Cup gets put, we’ll have the right squad to adapt.”
The ten-team Women’s T20 World Cup is set to kick off with warm-up matches on September 27, followed by the main event, 23 matches running from October 3 to October 20. Group A features defending champions Australia, alongside India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Group B includes England, South Africa, Bangladesh, Scotland, and the West Indies.