The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, will be relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to ongoing unrest in the country.
Reason for Relocation
The decision to relocate the tournament was made due to the ongoing student-led anti-government demonstrations and civil unrest in Bangladesh, which has led to the resignation and self-exile of the country’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in India. The security concerns arising from these events have made it difficult for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to host the tournament.
New Host Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been announced as the new host country for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The tournament will be held across two venues in Dubai and Sharjah, with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) stepping in to host the event on behalf of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Why UAE?
The UAE was chosen as the new host country due to its:
- State-of-the-art cricket infrastructure: The UAE has world-class cricket stadiums and facilities, including the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which have hosted numerous international cricket tournaments in the past.
- Proven track record of hosting successful events: The UAE has a reputation for hosting successful international cricket tournaments, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
- Strategic location: The UAE’s location makes it easily accessible for teams and fans from around the world, with Dubai International Airport being a major hub for international travel.
- Security and stability: The UAE is known for its political stability and strong security measures, making it an ideal location for hosting a high-profile international sporting event like the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Tournament Schedule
The Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place from October 3 to 20, 2024. The tournament will feature 10 teams, including defending champions Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.
Groups
The tournament will feature 10 teams, divided into two groups:
Group A
- Australia (defending champions)
- India
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Group B
- England
- Scotland
- South Africa
- West Indies
- Bangladesh (nominal hosts)
Match Schedule
The match schedule for the ICC Women’s 2024 T20 World Cup is as follows:
October 3-4, 2024
- Group A: Australia vs. Sri Lanka (Dubai)
- Group A: India vs. Pakistan (Sharjah)
- Group B: England vs. Scotland (Dubai)
- Group B: South Africa vs. West Indies (Sharjah)
October 5-6, 2024
- Group A: New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka (Dubai)
- Group A: Australia vs. Pakistan (Sharjah)
- Group B: England vs. West Indies (Dubai)
- Group B: Scotland vs. South Africa (Sharjah)
October 7-8, 2024
- Group A: India vs. New Zealand (Dubai)
- Group A: Australia vs. Sri Lanka (Sharjah)
- Group B: England vs. South Africa (Dubai)
- Group B: Scotland vs. West Indies (Sharjah)
October 9-10, 2024
- Group A: India vs. Sri Lanka (Dubai)
- Group A: New Zealand vs. Pakistan (Sharjah)
- Group B: England vs. West Indies (Dubai)
- Group B: Scotland vs. South Africa (Sharjah)
Semifinals
- October 12, 2024: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B (Dubai)
- October 13, 2024: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A (Sharjah)
Final
- October 20, 2024: Winner Semifinal 1 vs. Winner Semifinal 2 (Dubai)
ICC Chief Executive’s Statement
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has expressed his disappointment at not being able to host the tournament in Bangladesh, but has thanked the BCB for exploring all avenues to try and enable the event to be hosted in the country. He has also expressed his gratitude to the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host the event.
“I would like to thank the team at the BCB for exploring all avenues to try and enable the event to be hosted in Bangladesh, but travel advisories from the governments of a number of the participating teams meant that wasn’t feasible,” Allardice said. “It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the BCB would have staged a memorable event. However, they will retain hosting rights. We look forward to taking an ICC global event to Bangladesh in the near future.”
Impact on Participating Teams
The relocation of the tournament is expected to have a significant impact on the participating teams, particularly those that had already made arrangements to travel to Bangladesh. The ICC has assured that it will work closely with the teams to ensure a smooth transition to the new host country.
Conclusion
The relocation of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to the UAE is a necessary step to ensure the safety and security of all participants. The tournament is set to be an exciting event, with some of the world’s top cricket teams competing for the coveted title. Cricket fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament on October 3, 2024.
FAQ’s
Q: Why was the ICC Women's 2024 T20 World Cup relocated from Bangladesh to the UAE?
A: The tournament was relocated due to logistical and operational challenges in Bangladesh.
Q: When will the ICC Women's 2024 T20 World Cup take place?
A: The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 3 to 20, 2024.
Q: Which teams will participate in the ICC Women's 2024 T20 World Cup?
A: The tournament will feature 10 teams, divided into two groups: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, Scotland, South Africa, West Indies, and Bangladesh (nominal hosts).
Q: Where will the ICC Women's 2024 T20 World Cup matches be played?
A: The matches will be played in Dubai and Sharjah, UAE.
Q: Will the ICC Women's 2024 T20 World Cup be broadcast live?
A: Yes, the tournament will be broadcast live on various platforms, including TV and digital streaming services.
