The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has categorically refused the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposal to host the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in India.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed this decision during an interaction at the Times of India office in Mumbai.
“They had asked the BCCI if we can host the event, but I flatly refused,” said Shah. “We would be still in the monsoon season (this October) and next year we are going to host the ODI Women’s World Cup. I do not want to give the impression that I want to host consecutive World Cups.”
The Women’s T20 World Cup is currently scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from October 3-20, 2024. However, the escalating political unrest in the country, marked by violent protests against the government and the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has raised serious security concerns.
With India ruling out hosting the tournament, the ICC is expected to make a final decision on the venue on August 20. Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates are being considered as potential alternative hosts, given their similar time zones to Bangladesh.
“We’ve not spoken to them (the Bangladesh authorities),” Shah said. “A new government has taken charge there. They might reach out to us or else I will reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is very important to us,” he concluded.
The BCCI’s decision comes despite the ICC closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh in coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and their security agencies.
The BCB president, Nazmul Hassan, has been absent since the fall of the Awami League government, and multiple BCB directors with political connections have been unreachable.
Australia are the defending champions of the Women’s T20 World Cup, having defeated hosts South Africa in the final of the previous edition.
The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and is expected to decide on the venue for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup on August 20. If Bangladesh is unable to host, Sri Lanka and the UAE are being considered as alternative venues.
