The UAE, India and Sri Lanka are being considered as alternative hosts in case the ICC is forced to move the Women’s T20 World Cup from Bangladesh later this year.
The women’s tournament, which currently features 10 teams, is scheduled to take place from October 3 to 20, but the ICC has unofficially confirmed an alternative venue.
ICC officials said on Monday they were monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and all options were open. “The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), security agencies and our own independent security consultants,” an ICC statement said. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants.”
Following Monday’s developments, governments of at least three countries participating in the event – Australia, the UK and India – have issued travel advisories advising their citizens not to visit Bangladesh.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that the ICC has started working on options for backup venues. India and Sri Lanka are well prepared to host a multi-nation tournament on short notice, but some questions remain. For Sri Lanka, there is the risk of rain in October, while for India, visa issues for the Pakistani team could be a stumbling block.
“BCB has confirmed to PCB that the departure of the Men’s ‘A’ cricket team from Islamabad has been delayed by 48 hours due to unforeseen circumstances. BCB and PCB have been in regular contact over the past two days and will continue to work together on the revised tour schedule.”
Meanwhile, BCB has postponed the departure of Bangladesh A team to Pakistan for the series against Shaheens by “48 hours”. Dhaka airport was closed from 6pm to midnight on Monday and it is unclear whether scheduled flights will take off on Tuesday.
“BCB has informed PCB that the departure of the men’s ‘A’ cricket team to Islamabad has been delayed by 48 hours due to unforeseen circumstances,” the PCB said in a statement on Monday. “BCB and PCB have been in regular contact over the past two days and will continue to work together on the revised tour itinerary, further details of which will be announced in due course. The Bangladesh ‘A’ cricket team was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad in the wee hours of Wednesday for a four-day, three-match 50-over tour from August 10 to 27.”
The Bangladesh senior team’s departure to Pakistan is scheduled for August 17 and as of now, there is no change. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the PCB has proposed to the BCB to send the Bangladesh Test team to Pakistan in advance so that they can train and practice in Rawalpindi before the Test series, which begins on August 21. The BCB has yet to respond to the PCB.
After the last government abdicated or collapsed in January 2007, the National Sports Commission dissolved the BCB Board and appointed an interim body.
The last time the ICC moved a global tournament to an alternative venue was in 2021, when the Men’s T20 World Cup was moved from India to the UAE and Oman due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
