BCCI rejects ICC bid to host Women’s T20 World Cup amid political turmoil in Bangladesh

I Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) legally reject i International Cricket Council (ICC) request for future hosting Women’s T20 World Cupscheduled for October 2024. The decision comes due to ongoing political unrest and security concerns in Bangladesh, where the tournament will be hosted.

Jay Shah’s strong stance on hosting the Women’s World Cup T20 in India

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed the rejection during a recent interaction with TOI, saying, “See [ICC] he asked us if we will run the World Cup. I said no.” Shah emphasized that India is in the monsoon season in October, which may pose challenges in hosting the tournament successfully. He also mentioned that India is preparing to host the ODI Women’s World Cup next year, and did not want to create an image that India is hosting back-to-back World Cups.

“We are in the monsoon and on top of that we will be hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup next year. I don’t want to give any kind of indication that I want to hold consecutive World Cups,” Shah added.

The political situation in Bangladesh has raised concerns about the safety and security of players and officials, prompting the ICC to consider alternative hosting plans. However, Shah reiterated that the BCCI would not be involved in hosting the event, underscoring India’s commitment to its organized tournaments.

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Future development

In addition to discussing the Women’s T20 World Cup, Shah also announced plans for a new state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy (NCA) on the outskirts of Bengaluru, which will also be available to Olympic athletes. He ruled out the possibility of pink-ball Tests next season, citing concerns about losing money to viewers and broadcasters due to the short duration of those matches.

As the situation evolves, the BCCI’s decision underscores its focus on maintaining the integrity and organizing of cricket events in India, while also prioritizing the safety of players on the international stage. The ICC will now need to explore alternatives to host the Women’s T20 World Cup amid the uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh.

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This article was originally published on WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.