ICC to consider changing Women’s T20 World Cup venue amid violence in Bangladesh

Cricket Australia says it will wait on the ICC’s call as political violence throws Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup plans into disarray.

Uncertainty surrounds Australia’s bid for a fourth consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup title as cricket’s governing body monitors ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh.

The host nation for the October tournament has been rocked by deadly protests that caused longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country on Monday.

It is unclear whether the violence will subside in the wake of Hasina’s removal, with the International Cricket Council releasing a statement saying it was “closely monitoring developments”.

“The ICC is closely monitoring developments in co-ordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, their security agencies and our own independent security consultants,” the statement on Monday said.

“Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all participants.”

Anti-government protesters storm Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s palace in Dhaka. Picture: AFP

The ICC was exploring alternative venues for the tournament, including India, Sri Lanka and the UAE, according to ESPN.

It is understood Cricket Australia has not taken a position on whether the tournament should be moved and will wait for a decision from the ICC.

Australia previously cancelled men’s and under-19 tours of Bangladesh in 2015-16 due to security concerns.

“We are working closely with the ICC and the Australian government who are providing us with the latest advice,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said.

On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the government had upgraded its travel warning for Bangladesh to “do not travel”.

“Due to ongoing violence, our travel advice for Bangladesh has been updated to ‘do not travel,” Ms Wong wrote on X.

Australia completed three consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup titles with their success in South Africa in February 2023. Picture: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images

“The security situation is extremely volatile. Avoid large gatherings, monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.”

The Australian women’s side has been preparing to defend its three consecutive T20 World Cup titles at the tournament, which was slated to run from October 3 to October 20.

Many of Australia’s top-line players have been in England playing in The Hundred competition, while vice-captain Tahlia McGrath is leading an Australia A side against India A during a three-week series that began in Brisbane on Wednesday.

The white-ball squad also features regular Australian fast bowlers Megan Schutt, Kim Garth and Tayla Vlaeminck.

The two sides will play three T20s, three one-day games and one unofficial four-day Test match before the first-choice Australian team hosts New Zealand for three T20s in a September warm-up tournament.

Originally published as ICC to consider changing Women’s T20 World Cup venue amid violence in Bangladesh