A new venue has been confirmed for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE

“It is truly unfortunate that we won’t be able to host the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has a reputation for organizing events that leave a lasting impression,” stated ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice in an official announcement. “The BCB made every possible effort to keep the tournament in Bangladesh, but ultimately, the travel advisories issued by several governments for their participating teams made it impractical. Despite this setback, Bangladesh will retain the hosting rights, and we remain eager to bring an ICC global event to Bangladesh in the near future.”

Allardice extended his gratitude to the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for stepping in to host the event on behalf of the BCB, as well as to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous offers of assistance. He expressed optimism about the future, saying, “We anticipate hosting ICC global events in both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in 2026, and we are confident that these events will showcase the passion and commitment of these nations towards cricket.”

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has become a central hub for cricket in recent years and is home to the ICC headquarters, has been increasingly recognized for its role in the sport. The country has successfully hosted numerous qualifier tournaments and was a co-host of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021, alongside Oman. The UAE’s top-tier facilities and robust infrastructure make it an ideal location for staging the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The growing prominence of the UAE in international cricket is further evidenced by the rising success of both its men’s and women’s teams. Each team currently holds the 16th spot in the ICC T20I Team Rankings, reflecting the country’s steady progress in the sport. The UAE’s involvement in hosting this prestigious tournament not only highlights its capabilities but also underscores its expanding influence in the global cricketing community.

While the decision to relocate the tournament was not taken lightly, it is clear that the UAE is more than capable of delivering a world-class event. The move, though disappointing for Bangladesh, represents a strategic choice that ensures the Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in a safe and supportive environment, with the high standards of excellence that the ICC and cricket fans around the world have come to expect. The anticipation now shifts to the UAE, where the tournament will undoubtedly be another milestone in the country’s cricketing journey.