Women’s T20 World Cup Relocated from Bangladesh to UAE Amid Civil Unrest

The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, has been moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to severe civil unrest in the South Asian nation. This development follows a period of intense political turmoil in Bangladesh, marked by large-scale protests and violence, leading to the resignation and flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. The unrest was triggered by student-led demonstrations against the government’s civil service job quotas, which escalated into broader anti-government protests.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) made the decision to relocate the tournament after several countries issued travel advisories against visiting Bangladesh. The ICC’s Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice, expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging the efforts of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to try and keep the tournament in the country. Despite their efforts, the security concerns and the political situation made it impossible to proceed with the event in Bangladesh.

The tournament will now take place in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to 20, 2024. These cities are known for their world-class cricketing facilities, and the UAE has a history of successfully hosting major cricket events, including previous editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other international tournaments.

India, which was considered as a potential backup host, declined to step in, citing logistical challenges and prior commitments. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe both offered to host the tournament, but the ICC eventually chose the UAE due to its infrastructure and experience in handling large-scale cricket events.

The relocation also affects the tournament’s scheduling and logistics. England and Scotland, two of the 10 teams participating, were originally scheduled to play their first matches in Dhaka. These matches, along with the rest of the tournament, will now be held in the UAE. The group stage draw, which placed England and Scotland in Group B alongside South Africa and Bangladesh, remains unchanged, but the fixtures will now take place in Dubai and Sharjah.

While the BCB will not host the Women’s T20 World Cup this year, the ICC has assured that Bangladesh will retain the hosting rights for a future global event. This decision reflects the ICC’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh cricket and ensuring that the country will have another opportunity to host an international tournament once the political situation stabilizes.

The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup comes after the 2023 edition, which was held in South Africa and saw Australia win their sixth title. Australia’s consistent dominance in women’s cricket continued as they defeated the host nation in the final by 19 runs. The tournament in the UAE is expected to attract significant global attention, especially given the circumstances surrounding its relocation.

The civil unrest in Bangladesh, which has claimed over 400 lives, underscores the severe political challenges the country is facing. The protests, which began over dissatisfaction with government policies, grew into a wider movement against corruption and economic mismanagement. The resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the establishment of a provisional administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus marked a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. The situation remains fluid, and the international community continues to monitor developments closely.