The Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for October has been moved to the United Arab Emirates from Bangladesh, which has been rocked by political turmoil and violence in recent weeks.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said a number of participating countries had issued travel advisories for Bangladesh, effectively preventing the country from hosting the tournament.
The event will now take place in Dubai and Sharjah from 3-20 October.
Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country earlier this month amid the protests, and an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has taken charge.
Australia are the Women’s T20 World Cup defending champions having won the 2023 tournament. (AP PHOTO)
More than 400 people have been killed with the United Nations reporting that at least 65 have been minors.
“It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board would have staged a memorable event,” ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Travel advisories from the governments of a number of the participating teams meant that wasn’t feasible. However, they will retain hosting rights. We look forward to taking an ICC global event to Bangladesh in the near future,” he added.
Australia’s government are among those to advise against travel and Alyssa Healy said on Monday she was against going.
“I’d find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do,” Healy said.
“(That would be) taking resources away from a country that is really struggling. They’re needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying.”
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Australia, the defending champions having won the 2023 edition in South Africa, will name their squad at the start of next week.
As part of their preparation Australia played in Bangladesh in March and April, but Healy felt with the UAE offering similar playing conditions the experience would still be valuable.
“Going there and getting used to those conditions and slow turning wickets has probably put us in a good place,” Healy said.
The Women’s World Cup (Photo by Daniel Pockett-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
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