Women's T20 World Cup 2024: ICC 'closely monitoring' developments amid Bangladesh unrest, players' safety on priority

On Monday, August 5, reports emerged that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country in an army helicopter as the killings continued in the South Asian country, which is facing some of the worst vilonce since their birth in 1971.

The long-standing turmoil in the country could jeopardise the forthcoming Women's T20 World Cup, which is slated to run from October 3 to 20 in Dhaka and Sylhet. According to a report from The Times of India, an International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesperson said that the global body hasn't yet decided to move the tournament out of Bangladesh but they are "closely monitoring the develoments."

"The ICC is closely monitoring developments in coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), their security agencies and our own independent security consultants. Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants," the ICC spokesperson told TOI.

Also Read: Bangladesh confident of hosting ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 amid political unrest

For the unversed, Bangladesh has seen massive protests from students against Hasina's government over a controversial quota system that reserved 30% government jobs for relatives of veterans who fough in Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971. During the Annual Conference in Colombo last month, the ICC had told the media that it was "closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh." 

However, things have only gone downhill since that statement, with relentless killings and riots on the streets. The ninth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup is set to have 23 matches spread over 18 days at two venues - the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet.

Earlier this year in May, the ICC had announced the fixtures for the marquee competition during an event in Dhaka, which saw India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana in attendance. Ahead of the schedule launch, Hasina had met Harmanpreet and Sultana at her residence.

Also Read: Nationwide curfew casts doubt over Bangladesh's arrival in Pakistan for Test series

Australia are the current holders of the coveted trophy. They are also the most successful team in the history of the tournament, triumphing on six occasions. Meanwhile, England and the West Indies won the event on one occasion each.