There is growing uncertainty about Bangladesh's ability to host the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled from October 3-20, due to ongoing unrest and the recent resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has left the country on an Air Force jet. With the tournament less than two months away, there are speculations that the event might be relocated if the instability persists. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to make a formal decision but has stated they are closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.
"The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), local security agencies, and our own independent security consultants. Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants," said an ICC spokesperson to IANS.
The issue of unrest in Bangladesh, related to a government jobs quota system, was briefly raised by some member nations during last month's ICC Annual Conference in Colombo. However, it was not formally discussed as it was not on the agenda of the four-day conference.
The tournament will feature ten teams playing 23 matches over 18 days at two venues: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. Additionally, there will be ten warm-up matches from September 27 to October 1 at BKSP in Dhaka. The ICC had previously announced the schedule for the Women's T20 World Cup in Dhaka in May, with Prime Minister Hasina present along with India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana.
In Group A, India will compete against New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and defending champions Australia. Group B includes hosts Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the West Indies, and Scotland. Bangladesh is set to host the tournament for the second time, the first being in 2014.
The tournament will kick off with South Africa, the 2023 World Cup runners-up, facing England, followed by hosts Bangladesh playing Scotland in Dhaka. Australia, the defending champions, will begin their campaign on October 4 in Sylhet against Sri Lanka, while India will open against New Zealand on the same day.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for October 17 in Sylhet and October 18 in Dhaka. The Women's T20 World Cup champion will be crowned in Dhaka on October 20.