Dubai: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates from its original venue Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council announced.
The tournament, slated to be held from October 3 to 20, will take place across Dubai and Sharjah.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed disappointment over the relocation in a statement, highlighting logistical and travel advisory challenges as the main reasons behind the decision.
"It’s regrettable that we will not be able to host the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as planned,” Allardice said.
"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had invested considerable effort into preparing for the event, and their commitment was truly impressive. However, travel restrictions imposed by several participating nations made it unfeasible to proceed there." This decision comes in the wake of the unrest prevailing in Bangladesh.
Despite the change, the BCB will continue to play a key role in organizing the event. “We are grateful to the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in, and we look forward to hosting future ICC global events in Bangladesh,” Allardice added.
The UAE, which houses the ICC headquarters, has become a vital centrE for cricket, boasting pf world-class facilities and a track record of hosting major tournaments, including the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. With both its men’s and women’s teams ranked 16th in the ICC T20I Team Rankings, the UAE’s growing stature in the cricketing world underscores its capacity to host high-profile events.