ICC moves Women’s T20 WC to UAE

In a statement released on Tuesday, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed regret over the move, acknowledging the efforts of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to host the tournament despite the challenging circumstances. “It is unfortunate that we will not be able to stage the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as planned. The BCB explored every possible avenue to make it happen, but the travel advisories issued by several participating countries made it unfeasible,” Allardice said.

The decision comes in the wake of escalating violence in Bangladesh, where over 600 people have died in clashes since mid-July, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. The unrest, sparked by massive student protests against the quota system in government jobs, has led to widespread instability, prompting concerns about the safety of players and officials.

Despite the relocation, Bangladesh will retain its hosting rights, ensuring it receives a share of the event’s revenue. Allardice also expressed hope that a future ICC global event could still be held in Bangladesh once the situation stabilizes.

The move to shift the tournament gained momentum after Australian T20 captain Alyssa Healy voiced her concerns about playing in Bangladesh, stating that she found it difficult to justify participating in the event under the current circumstances. “As a human being, I feel it might be the wrong thing to do,” Healy said, reflecting the apprehensions shared by many within the cricketing community.

With the event now set to take place in the UAE, Allardice thanked the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host the tournament on short notice. He also acknowledged the support of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, both of which had offered to host the event if needed. “We are grateful to the Emirates Cricket Board for accommodating the tournament and to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous offers of support. We look forward to hosting ICC events in both those countries in 2026,” he added.

The UAE was chosen as the new venue due to its well-established cricket infrastructure and proximity between Dubai and Sharjah, which will help keep logistical costs manageable.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh remains in turmoil, with the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 further fueling unrest. Reports indicate that Hasina has fled to India, where she is currently staying in a safe house in Delhi. The interim government in Bangladesh is now led by 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, while BCB President Najmul Hassan Papon, a close associate of the former Prime Minister, has also left the country.

As tensions continue to rise, the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh has become a growing concern, further complicating the nation’s path to stability.