With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declining to host the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a strong contender to take over the event. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is making a last-ditch effort to retain hosting rights, despite the challenges it faces.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is under pressure to finalize a decision quickly, given the approaching tournament dates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been identified as potential venues, offering the necessary infrastructure and favorable weather conditions. However, the BCB has requested an additional five days to present a viable plan that would allow Bangladesh to host the event as originally planned.
The ICC is expected to make a decision soon, with a meeting scheduled for August 20. Although the meeting’s primary agenda is to discuss the recent Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, the issue of the Women’s World Cup is likely to be addressed. Originally, the ICC aimed to finalize the host nation by August 15, but the BCB’s request for more time could push this decision to the upcoming meeting.
India was initially considered a backup host, but the BCCI ruled out the possibility due to logistical and weather-related concerns. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the board declined the offer primarily because of the ongoing monsoon season and the proximity to hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup next year. “They [ICC] asked if we could conduct the World Cup. I categorically said no. We’re in the monsoon season, and we are already hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup next year. I don’t want to give any signals that we are open to hosting consecutive World Cups,” Shah stated.
The BCB remains hopeful and is actively working to meet the ICC’s requirements. The board has been in close communication with Bangladesh’s military leadership to secure the necessary security guarantees for the tournament. However, the situation is complicated by the recent political unrest in Bangladesh, which has led to several BCB officials, including President Nazmul Hassan, fleeing the country.
Given the circumstances, the ICC is considering other alternatives with similar time zones and favorable weather conditions. The UAE, with its world-class facilities and stable environment, appears to be the most suitable option. Additionally, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly eager to host the event. Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have also expressed interest, but the UAE’s infrastructure and experience make it the frontrunner.
The Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on September 27 with warm-up matches, followed by the main event running from October 3 to 20. The tournament will feature 10 teams competing in 23 matches. With less than two months to go, the ICC faces a tight deadline to confirm the host nation.
The upcoming August 20 meeting, originally intended to discuss the terms of reference for an inquiry into the Men’s T20 World Cup, may also serve as the stage for the final decision on the Women’s T20 World Cup. The inquiry panel, consisting of three ICC directors—Roger Twose, Lawson Naidoo, and Imran Khwaja—was formed during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Colombo last month. While this matter is the primary focus of the meeting, the urgency surrounding the Women’s T20 World Cup could lead to an expedited decision.
