The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested security assurances from the country’s army chief to ensure the safe conduct of the women’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from October 3-20, amidst ongoing political unrest following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The tournament is set to be held in Sylhet and Mirpur, two cities in Bangladesh.
According to Cricbuzz, the BCB has written to Bangladesh’s army chief of staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, seeking his assurance on security for the tournament. The warm-up matches for the World Cup are expected to start on September 27.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been closely monitoring the situation, particularly after violent protests against the government led to the deaths of hundreds and the resignation and escape of former Prime Minister Hasina. There is speculation that the ICC might consider relocating the tournament to a different venue within a similar time zone, with India, the UAE, and Sri Lanka being potential alternatives.
Several BCB officials, including current president Nazmul Hasan Papon, have also fled the country, as they were believed to be aligned with the former Prime Minister’s party, the Awami League. Despite this, some BCB directors remain in Dhaka and are hopeful that the tournament will proceed as planned in Bangladesh.
Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu, the chairman of the BCB umpiring committee, expressed the board’s efforts to host the tournament, stating, “We are trying to host the tournament.” He further explained that a letter was sent to the Army Chief on August 8, seeking security assurances for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, noting that the BCB has only two months to prepare. Mithu also mentioned that the ICC had contacted them recently, and the BCB is expected to provide a response shortly.
He emphasized that the security guarantee must come from a law enforcement agency rather than the board itself, and once they receive written assurance from the Army, they will inform the ICC.
