India Declines to Host Women's T20 Cricket World Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) approached the BCCI with a request to host the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in India. The tournament is currently scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, but ongoing political unrest in the country has led the ICC to consider alternative hosting options. Shah stated that he firmly declined the ICC's request, emphasizing that hosting two women's World Cups in quick succession would send the wrong message. The political situation in Bangladesh has escalated, with over 300 fatalities reported since protests erupted in July against a controversial quota system for government jobs. This unrest has raised concerns about the safety of players and officials, prompting the ICC to explore other venues. Shah highlighted that India is already set to host the Women's ODI World Cup next year, which further complicates the possibility of hosting the T20 event. As the ICC evaluates potential alternatives, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka have emerged as possible hosts for the tournament. The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants. Meanwhile, travel advisories from several countries, including India, have been issued due to the instability in Bangladesh. In the midst of these developments, Shah also addressed India's upcoming home series against Bangladesh, which includes two Tests and three T20 matches starting September 19. He acknowledged the importance of the series but noted that discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board have yet to take place due to the current political climate.