Host the World Cup… ICC pleads BCCI, Jay Shah refuses right away

The ongoing protests in Bangladesh over reservation have destabilized the country and its effect is now being felt on cricket as well. A serious crisis has arisen over the organization of the Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh from 3 to 20 October.

Meanwhile, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah made a big revelation. He has made it clear that if the host of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is changed, then India will not host it.

ICC had contacted BCCI

Jay Shah also revealed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had approached the BCCI to host the World Cup after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled following student protests in the country. “They asked us if we would host the World Cup. I flatly refused,” Shah told the Times of India.

The situation is not good in Bangladesh

It is noteworthy that student protests against quota in government jobs took the form of large-scale violence and ousted Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League from power. The conflict escalated and Hasina had to take refuge in India. Countries like the US have advised their citizens not to visit Bangladesh due to “civil unrest, crime and terrorism”.

Why did Jai Shah refuse?

The ICC is now considering possible options to host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 to be held in Bangladesh in September-October. Jay Shah explained the reasons behind refusing to host the major tournament in India. He said, “We are in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the Women’s ODI World Cup next year. I do not want to give any indication that I want to host consecutive World Cups.

These options are left with ICC

Now the ICC has only two options left in Asia. It can either opt for Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shah also revealed that there has been no conversation between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the BCCI since the beginning of the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh. It is worth noting that Bangladesh is going to tour India in September for a series of two Tests and three T20 matches.