Women's T20 World Cup: Hosts BCB Requests Assurance from Bangladesh Army

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested security assurances from the head of the Bangladeshi army for the Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from October 3-20. This request comes amid political instability following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sylhet and Mirpur in Bangladesh will host the Women’s T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reportedly sent a letter to General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief of staff of the Bangladeshi army, requesting security assurances for the event, according to Cricbuzz. The warm-up round for the tournament is set to begin on September 27. The ICC has been monitoring the situation closely due to violent protests against the government, which led to hundreds of deaths and the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Hasina.

BCB Requests Army security assurances for Women's T20 World Cup amid political unrest

The ICC is expected to consider relocating the competition to a different venue within a similar time zone, with Sri Lanka, India, and the United Arab Emirates being potential alternatives. Nazmul Hasan Papon, the current president of the BCB and a former supporter of the Awami League, has also left the country, along with several other board directors. However, some directors remain in Dhaka and hope that the tournament will stay in Bangladesh. 

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Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu, chairman Don't of the BCB umpiring committee, stated, "We are working to host the tournament." He added, "Frankly, not many of us are currently in the country. On Thursday (August 8), we sent a letter to the Army Chief requesting security assurances for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, as we have only two months left." Mithu also mentioned, "The ICC contacted us two days ago, and we informed them that we would respond shortly."

Once the interim government is in place, we still need to provide security assurances, which can only come from a law enforcement agency, not from the board or anyone else. We have sent the letter, and after receiving a written assurance from the Army, we will update the ICC.