The BCCI has “categorically rejected” the ICC’s offer to host the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in October, its secretary Jay Shah said. The ICC is expected to make a final decision on August 20. India has ruled itself out as the host, leaving Sri Lanka and UAE as possible alternatives for the tournament scheduled to be held from October 3-20.
“They (ICC) asked us if we would go ahead with the World Cup. I flatly refused,” Shah said. The Times of India“We are in the monsoon and we are also hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup next year. We don’t want to give any signal that we want to host back-to-back World Cups.”
ICC officials said earlier this week that they were monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and that 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 top priority is the safety and well-being of all participants.”
As Bangladesh’s new caretaker government makes a last-ditch effort to salvage the tournament, the strict travel advisories issued by the governments of several participating teams, including England, Australia and India, are one of the biggest hurdles facing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Security concerns aside, the BCB is in crisis, with its chairman and former sports minister Nazmul Hasan effectively stepping down from his post after the Awami League government collapsed on August 5. Several board members with direct or indirect political connections have also been cut off.
The Bangladesh men’s Test team is currently on tour in Pakistan for a two-match series. They arrived early after protests in Bangladesh disrupted their training. They will also tour India next month to play two Tests and three T20Is.
“We haven’t spoken to (Bangladesh authorities),” Shah said. “The new government has taken over. They may contact us, or I will contact them. The Bangladesh series is very important to us.”
