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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a viable alternative to host the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ruling out hosting the event. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is making every effort to prevent the tournament from being transferred.
The BCB has requested extra time, but the International Cricket Council (ICC), under time pressure, is rumoured to be considering Dubai or Abu Dhabi as a potential location. It is anticipated that the ICC will reach a decision shortly, most likely on August 20, the day of the directors’ scheduled online meeting—albeit one with a different agenda.
Speaking on Thursday, a BCB representative stated that the organisation has asked the ICC to wait five more days before calling. On August 20, the day of the board meeting, the ICC would have to make a decision if it were to give the additional time. It’s thought that the original expectation was for the ICC to make a decision about the Women’s World Cup by August 15.
India was an ideal alternative but the BCCI declined to host the tournament for multiple reasons, the weather mainly. “They (ICC) have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no. 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,” Shah said.
Shah’s remarks made it clear that, given the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, the ICC was considering other options. However, the BCB is not giving up. It is confident in coming up with a strategy that would match the ICC’s requirements to host the event, which is presently set to start on September 27 with the warm-up games. Therefore, it has asked the governing body to extend the deadline. From October 3 to October 20, there are 23 matches and 10 teams participating in the actual competition.
Regarding security assurance for the tournament, BCB has already written to the Army Chief. According to sources, all sides are regularly in communication to determine what can be done. However, after the unrest last month, a number of BCB officials—including its long-time president Nazmul Hassan—left the nation.
The UAE meets the requirements of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a host nation with clear weather and a time zone comparable to Bangladesh. In addition, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has top-notch facilities. More significantly, the European Central Bank is reportedly eager to host the occasion. It’s known that Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are also considering it.