The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) request to host the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in October due to monsoon season and the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup in 2023.
The ICC is now considering alternative venues, with Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as potential hosts. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 3-20.
The decision to rule out India as a host stems from concerns about the monsoon season, which could disrupt matches, and the BCCI’s desire to avoid hosting consecutive World Cups.
“They [ICC] have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah told Times of 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.”
The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, which was originally scheduled to host the tournament. However, recent violence and security challenges have raised concerns about the safety of participants.
“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.”
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing a crisis, with its president and former sports minister Nazmul Hassan effectively out of office since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Several board directors have also been incommunicado.
The BCCI has not yet spoken to the new Bangladesh authorities but plans to reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is considered important for India’s preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
In other news, VVS Laxman’s tenure as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will be extended. Laxman’s current contract expires in September, but BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that he will continue in the role.
