Colombo: The ongoing violence in Bangladesh has drawn the attention of the International Cricket Council (ICC) members and managers, who are currently gathered in Colombo for their annual conference. The recent unrest, marked by protests and killings on the streets, has become a significant concern for the ICC, particularly as Bangladesh is set to host the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup later this year.
As reported by Cricbuzz, an ICC source, attending the conference in Colombo, commented on the situation: “We are closely monitoring the situation, but the event is still some time away. The situation appears to have improved over the last 24 hours.” The source’s statement suggests that while the immediate concern is present, there is cautious optimism that conditions might stabilize in time for the tournament.
The Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place from October 3 to 20, will feature ten teams playing 23 matches over 18 days at two venues: the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. However, with internet shutdowns affecting many parts of the country and reports of foreign students leaving, the ICC’s concerns are understandable.
The violence in Bangladesh erupted following a recent court order on quotas for coveted government jobs. The court’s decision has sparked widespread protests, leading to curfews and clashes that have reportedly resulted in over 150 deaths.
The ICC had unveiled the World Cup schedule in Dhaka in May, with the event attended by prominent figures, including the captains of the Indian and Bangladeshi women’s teams, Harmanpreet Kaur and Nigar Sultana, respectively. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, also met the two captains, offering her best wishes for a successful tournament. Australia, the defending champions, are among the teams preparing for the event.
As the situation in Bangladesh evolves, the ICC and cricket fans worldwide are keenly watching to see how it will impact the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup.