Women’s T20WC likely to move from BD

The ICC has shortlisted the UAE, India, and Sri Lanka as potential backup venues for the Women’s T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to be held in Bangladesh later this year. This decision comes in response to recent political turmoil in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has been experiencing significant anti-government protests, resulting in several deaths and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has fled to India. Amid the unrest, General Waker-Uz-Zaman has assumed control to establish an interim government. Protestors have also targeted properties of members of the Awami League, including the residence of former Bangladesh cricket captain Mashrafe Mortaza.

The ten-team Women’s T20 World Cup is set to take place from October 3-20. However, the ICC is preparing for possible venue changes due to the unstable situation in Bangladesh. An ICC official stated, “The ICC is closely monitoring developments in co-ordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB], their security agencies and our own independent security consultants,” an ICC statement said. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants.”

In light of Monday’s events, Australia, England, and India have issued travel advisories against visiting Bangladesh. The ICC has begun evaluating alternative venues, considering that India and Sri Lanka can host multi-nation tournaments on short notice. However, potential issues include October’s rainy season in Sri Lanka and visa challenges for the Pakistan team if the tournament moves to India.

Additionally, the BCB has postponed the Bangladesh ‘A’ team’s departure to Pakistan by 48 hours due to unforeseen circumstances. The Dhaka airport was temporarily closed, delaying the team’s flight. The BCB and PCB are working together on a revised tour itinerary, and further details will follow.

Despite these disruptions, the Bangladesh senior team’s departure for Pakistan, scheduled for August 17, remains unchanged. The PCB has suggested that the Bangladesh Test team arrive early to practice in Rawalpindi before the Test series starting on August 21, though the BCB has yet to respond.

The ICC last moved a global tournament in 2021, when the men’s T20 World Cup was relocated from India to the UAE and Oman due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mortaza’s house set on fire

Amidst the escalating unrest in Bangladesh, former cricket captain Mashrafe Mortaza’s house was reportedly set on fire amid the violence and chaos following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and departure on Monday.

Mortaza, who was also a Member of Parliament for the Narail-2 constituency in the Khulna division, was re-elected as an Awami League candidate led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the general elections earlier this year.

Local media reports indicate that vandals attacked Mortaza’s house, setting it ablaze after the Prime Minister left the country amidst widespread student protests.

The political turmoil in the country has seen the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan and other officials supportive of the ousted Awami League government fleeing the country for their safety. According to Cricbuzz, the country’s sports minister, Zahid Ahsan Hasan, has also left.

The BCB has been forced to delay the Bangladesh A team’s departure to Pakistan for an upcoming tour by two days due to the ongoing political unrest.

The team, which includes senior players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Shahadat Hossain, and Zakir Hasan, were scheduled to leave on Tuesday, August 6, to play two four-day and three one-day matches against Pakistan Shaheens.

Bangladesh has been in turmoil for the past several weeks due to massive protests against job quotas for descendants of freedom fighters. These protests recently turned violent, leading to a police crackdown that resulted in hundreds of deaths.

The crisis culminated in an ambush at long-serving President Sheikh Hasina’s house, leading to her resignation and subsequent fleeing to India. The country’s army has since taken control.