The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3rd to 20th, a shift from its original location in Bangladesh due to civil and political unrest in the country. Despite this relocation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will retain its hosting rights, partnering with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure the event’s success. The tournament will see ten teams compete in 23 matches over 18 action-packed days at two venues, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
These venues have historically struggled to draw large crowds, especially for matches not featuring India or Pakistan, as was evident during the men’s T20 World Cup in 2021.
England’s captain, Heather Knight, acknowledged the difference, saying, “It will be a change for us. In Bangladesh, where we played during the 2014 World Cup, the crowds were much bigger, especially in Sylhet. We’re used to having people around, but it’s the World Cup, motivation shouldn’t be an issue.”
Dubai and Sharjah have hosted only a handful of women’s T20 Internationals. Sharjah has hosted just 10 matches, with the last being a 2017 clash between Pakistan and New Zealand. Dubai, on the other hand, has seen just five games, all between the UAE and Namibia last year.
Knight highlighted, “Some players thrive on the buzz and energy from the crowd, so it’s about ensuring that each player is ready for what we might face. I don’t expect a sudden surge in crowd numbers, but we have to deal with whatever comes our way. Ultimately, safety and similar concerns are our top priorities.”
Despite the change in venue, Knight supports the ICC’s decision, remarking, “It’s obviously a shame for the Bangladesh team that they’re not going to have a home World Cup. But I think it’s probably the right decision… the conditions will be slightly different, but not hugely.”
The England Cricket Board recently unveiled their squad for the World Cup, with plans to arrive in Abu Dhabi on 13th September for a three-week training camp ahead of their opening match. England’s head coach, Jon Lewis, sees this early preparation as a significant advantage: “We’ve asked them to prepare wickets that are similar to what you would expect in the two stadiums, so by the time we get to the tournament itself, we think we’ll be really ready.”
The squad includes Linsey Smith, who returned to the T20I side earlier this year for the first time since 2019, as the backup spinner to Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and Sarah Glenn. Freya Kemp and Danielle Gibson, both seam-bowling all-rounders, provide additional flexibility, leading to the decision not to include the pace of Lauren Filer; she however will still join the team during their training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Knight praised Filer’s performances in the Hundred, despite her modest six wickets in eight matches: “She bowled brilliantly without taking the wickets that she deserved. But the squad we’ve picked gives us the most flexibility around potential conditions that we might face.”
England’s meticulous preparation and well-rounded squad make them formidable contenders for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Placed in Group B, they’ll kick off their campaign against hosts Bangladesh on October 5th, followed by crucial matches against South Africa on October 7th, Scotland on October 13th, and West Indies on October 15th.
England’s tournament journey will start with their first three matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and will end the group stage at Dubai International Stadium. Despite the shift in venue, England’s focus on adaptability and readiness highlights their determination to dominate in the UAE and claim the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.
(Quotes sourced from ESPN)