The Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jay Shah has revealed that India is not going to host the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in case there is a change of venue due to the ongoing political conflict in Bangladesh.
Shah also revealed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had approached the BCCI asking if it "would conduct the World Cup" following a student-led uprising in Bangladesh that forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country.
They (ICC) have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no," Shah stated during an interaction with the Times Group journalists at the TOI's Mumbai office on Wednesday, August 14.
Notably, a student-led protest against quotas in government jobs transformed into a larger and violent movement and toppled Sheikh Hasina's party Awami League. The conflict escalated and forced Hasina to seek refuge in India.
Countries like the United States of America (USA) have issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to not visit Bangladesh "due to civil unrest, crime and terrorism".
With the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 slated to be played in Bangladesh in September-October, the ICC is now considering potential options to relocate the tournament if the situation in the host country continues to remain grim.
Shah explained the reason behind BCCI's denial of hosting the marquee tournament in India. "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," he added.
Now with India out of the picture, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has only two options left in Asia. The international governing body can either opt for Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Bangladesh series is very important to us: Jay Shah
Shah also revealed that there has not been any active communication between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the BCCI since the beginning of the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh. Notably, Bangladesh are set to tour India in September for a multi-format series involving two Tests and three T20Is and the BCCI Secretary has revealed that it is "very important".
"We've not spoken to them (the Bangladesh authorities). A new government has taken charge there. They might reach out to us or else I will reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is very important to us," Shah told TOI.
