Women's T20 World Cup 2024: UAE Emerges As Top Contender For Hosting, BCB Seeks More Time

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opted out from hosting the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 following which UAE has emerged in contention as a potential host even though Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has demanded extra time to keep the from the venue being shifted.

The Women's World Cup 2024 is scheduled to start from October 3, 2024, but the venue still remains undecided. Even though BCB wants to conduct the tournament ICC is skeptical due to the ongoing unrest and disrupt political situation in Bangladesh.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will be making a decision soon, probably by August 20. India was supposed to be a good alternative but BCCI declined the offer stating multiple reasons.

 "They (ICC) have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no. We're in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the women's ODI World Cup next year. I don't want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups," Shah said.

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BCB still is hopeful that they'll be able to host the tournament and match up to all the requirements laid down by ICC. But several officials and its president Nazmul Hassan, have already fled the country after there was an outbreak of violence. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has also asked for reassurance from the army on the security in order to conduct the World Cup.

BCB umpiring committee chairman Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu said, "We are trying to host the tournament." "To be honest, there are not too many among us present in the country and on Thursday (August 8) we have sent a letter to the Army Chief regarding assurance about the security of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup as we have only two months in hand," he said.

"ICC communicated with us two days back, and we replied that we will come back to them shortly." "After the (interim) government is formed, we still have to give them assurance of security considering it cannot be given by the board or any anyone else apart from a law enforcement agency of the country and so we sent the letter and after getting written assurance from them (the Army), we will inform the ICC," he added.

The ICC is in search of a host country with a time zone similar to Bangladesh's and favorable weather conditions, positioning the UAE as an ideal candidate. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) not only boasts world-class infrastructure but is also keen to host the event. While Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have shown interest, the clock is ticking with just about 50 days remaining before the tournament starts.