Cricket

The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh, is facing an uncertain future due to political unrest and security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively exploring alternative venues, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a potential replacement.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains determined to retain hosting rights, but the ICC is facing time constraints with the tournament set to commence on September 27th. The BCB's request for a five-day extension to present a revised hosting plan has been denied, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to step in as host due to monsoon season and a packed cricketing calendar.The UAE, with its favorable time zone, predictable weather conditions, and established cricketing infrastructure, has emerged as a frontrunner. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly enthusiastic about hosting the tournament, further bolstering the UAE's candidacy.Despite the mounting pressure, the BCB remains optimistic, highlighting ongoing discussions with Bangladesh's Army Chief regarding security assurances for the tournament. However, the recent exodus of key BCB officials, including President Nazmul Hassan, due to political unrest casts a shadow over their efforts.Other nations, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, have also expressed interest in hosting the tournament, presenting the ICC with additional options to consider. The ICC is expected to reach a decision by August 20th, coinciding with a pre-scheduled board meeting primarily focused on finalizing the terms of reference for an inquiry into the recent Men's T20 World Cup.With just over 50 days remaining before the tournament's start, the ICC faces a critical decision that will significantly impact the participating teams, fans, and the future of women's cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined the International Cricket Council's (ICC) request to host the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in October due to monsoon season and the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup in 2023.The ICC is now considering alternative venues, with Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as potential hosts. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 3-20.The decision to rule out India as a host stems from concerns about the monsoon season, which could disrupt matches, and the BCCI's desire to avoid hosting consecutive World Cups."They [ICC] have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no," BCCI Secretary Jay Shah told Times of India. "We're in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the Women's ODI World Cup next year. I don't want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups."The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, which was originally scheduled to host the tournament. However, recent violence and security challenges have raised concerns about the safety of participants."The ICC is closely monitoring developments in co-ordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB], their security agencies and our own independent security consultants," an ICC statement said. "Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants."The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing a crisis, with its president and former sports minister Nazmul Hassan effectively out of office since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Several board directors have also been incommunicado.The BCCI has not yet spoken to the new Bangladesh authorities but plans to reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is considered important for India's preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.In other news, VVS Laxman's tenure as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will be extended. Laxman's current contract expires in September, but BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that he will continue in the role.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced two significant changes to its upcoming home season schedule. The first T20I against Bangladesh, originally scheduled for Dharamsala on October 6, has been moved to Gwalior. Additionally, the venues for the first and second T20Is against England in January 2025 have been swapped.The relocation of the Bangladesh T20I from Dharamsala to Gwalior stems from ongoing renovations to the dressing rooms at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. This marks the second international fixture to be shifted out of Dharamsala in recent times, following the relocation of the third Test between India and Australia to Indore in February 2023 due to outfield issues.The inaugural international match at the new Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior will be the T20I against Bangladesh. It will also be the first international fixture in the city since 2010, when Sachin Tendulkar made history by scoring the first double-century in men's ODIs.Regarding the England tour, the first T20I was initially scheduled for Chennai on January 22, with Kolkata hosting the second on January 25. However, the venues have been swapped at the request of Kolkata Police due to prior Republic Day commitments.India's 2024-25 home season commences with two Tests and three T20Is against Bangladesh from September 19 to October 12. New Zealand will then visit for three Test matches from October 16 to November 5.Following a tour of Australia for five Tests from November 22 to January 7, India will return home to host England for five T20Is and three ODIs from January 22 to February 12. The ODIs against England will be India's only scheduled 50-over games before the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing an uphill battle to retain hosting rights for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup amidst travel restrictions imposed by several countries. The BCB is seeking the United Nations' intervention to address the issue.Asif Mahmud, the youth and sports adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, confirmed that the BCB will engage with the UN to discuss the travel restrictions. The governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, India, and New Zealand have either advised against travel to Bangladesh or imposed outright bans.The BCB considers these travel restrictions as a major obstacle to hosting the tournament. Mahmud stated, "There are travel restrictions for some countries and so we will speak with the United Nations. There are some issues regarding security and infrastructure and we will talk in this regard with professor Yunus [chief adviser to Bangladesh's interim government]."The uncertainty surrounding the World Cup coincides with a crisis within the BCB. President Nazmul Hassan has been missing since the fall of the Awami League government, and several directors with political connections are also untraceable.Mahmud has discussed the possibility of an interim body to run the BCB, but he emphasized the need for autonomy in the board's decision-making. "The BCB is an autonomous federation and we cannot give them any decision," he said.Former BCB general secretary Syed Ashraful Huq has called for reforms within the board. He criticized the lack of progress in Bangladesh's cricket performance despite gaining Full Membership in 2000. "BCB doesn't own a cricket ground, for instance. We lack in planning, and even when we have a plan, nobody has delivered on it," Huq said.The BCB is under pressure to address the travel restrictions and the internal crisis to ensure the successful hosting of the Women's T20 World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 10 to 26, 2023.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reached out to the country's army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, seeking security assurances for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held from October 3-20. The tournament is set to take place in two Bangladeshi cities, Sylhet and Mirpur.The BCB's request comes amidst political unrest in Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been closely monitoring the situation, as violent protests against the government have resulted in numerous deaths and the resignation of Hasina.The ICC has the option of relocating the tournament to a different venue within a similar time zone, with India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Sri Lanka being potential alternatives. However, the BCB remains hopeful that the event can be held in Bangladesh.BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon and several other board directors, believed to have the backing of Hasina's Awami League party, have fled the country. However, other directors remain in Dhaka and are determined to keep the tournament in Bangladesh."We are trying to host the tournament," said Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu, chairman of the BCB umpiring committee. "We have sent a letter to the Army Chief regarding assurance about the security of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup as we have only two months in hand."The ICC has communicated with the BCB, and the board has responded that it will provide an update shortly. "After the (interim) government is formed, we still have to give them assurance of the security considering it cannot be given by the board or anyone else apart from a law enforcement agency of the country," added Mithu.The warm-up round for the Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on September 27. The ICC will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh and make a decision on the tournament's venue based on the security assurances provided by the country's authorities.

The upcoming 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh from October 3-20, faces uncertainty amidst political turmoil and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The tournament's fate hangs in the balance as the International Cricket Council (ICC) closely monitors the situation.The ICC has expressed its priority for the safety and well-being of all participants, stating that it is coordinating with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), security agencies, and independent consultants. The matter of unrest in Bangladesh was raised during the ICC Annual Conference in Colombo last month, but it was not formally discussed.The tournament, which will feature 10 teams playing 23 matches over 18 days, is set to take place at two venues: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. Warm-up matches will be held from September 27 to October 1 at BKSP in Dhaka.India, the defending champions Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland, and hosts Bangladesh will compete in the tournament. Bangladesh will host the event for the second time after 2014.The opening match will feature South Africa facing England, followed by Bangladesh taking on Scotland in the evening match in Dhaka. Australia will begin their title defense against Sri Lanka on October 4 in Sylhet, while India will open its campaign against New Zealand on the same day.The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for October 17 in Sylhet and October 18 in Dhaka. The Women's T20 World Cup champions will be crowned in Dhaka on October 20.The ICC's decision on the tournament's fate will depend on the ongoing political situation in Bangladesh. If the unrest continues, the event may be moved to an alternative venue.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is closely monitoring the political unrest in Bangladesh, which has led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from October 3 to 20, and the ICC is adopting a wait-and-watch approach before making any decisions about the tournament's location.The unrest in Bangladesh stems from a controversial quota system that reserves 30% of jobs for families of veterans from the 1971 liberation war. The system has sparked fierce demonstrations across the country, resulting in over 100 casualties in the past two days.The ICC has an independent security monitoring system across all its member nations. The situation in Bangladesh is being monitored closely, but with seven weeks left for the tournament to begin, it is too early to comment on whether it will be shifted from Bangladesh.The ICC does have contingency plans for unavoidable circumstances. In case of a need to relocate, Sri Lanka could be an option, given that it successfully hosted the men's T20 World Cup in 2012.A critical question remains whether countries like South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia will send their women's teams to Bangladesh amidst the current volatile security environment. For now, the ICC continues to monitor the situation as the start date of the Women's T20 World Cup approaches.

India vs Bangladesh: Women's Asia Cup Semifinal 1 Live ScoreIn the highly anticipated semifinal clash of the Women's Asia Cup, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to bat first against India. The match is being played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.India, the overwhelming favorites, have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning all three of their group matches convincingly. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has shown glimpses of their potential, but they will need to play at their best to upset the Indian juggernaut.Bangladesh's slow bowlers, led by Nahida Akhter and Rabeya Khan, will be key to their chances of success. Both bowlers have claimed five wickets apiece in the tournament so far and will look to put pressure on India's experienced batting lineup.India will be relying on their star-studded batting unit to deliver once again. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Harmanpreet Kaur are all in good form and will be looking to make significant contributions.The start of the innings will be crucial for India, and Shafali Verma will be eager to give her team a solid foundation. The young opener has been in excellent touch throughout the tournament and will be looking to continue her impressive run.India will also need their bowlers to step up and deliver. The likes of Renuka Singh, Deepti Sharma, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad will be tasked with containing Bangladesh's batters and picking up regular wickets.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting styles of play. India will be looking to impose their dominance and secure a place in the final, while Bangladesh will be aiming to pull off an upset and make history.

Shafali Verma Emphasizes All-Round Improvement for India Ahead of Asia Cup SemifinalIndian opener Shafali Verma has highlighted the need for her team to enhance their performance in all aspects of the game as they prepare for the women's Asia Cup semifinal clash against Bangladesh on Friday.Despite India's impressive run in the tournament so far, Verma believes there is room for improvement. "We are winning the matches and gelling well as a team, but the semifinal is very important for us," she said. "We are practicing very hard, and hopefully we will execute (plans) tomorrow."Verma, who has been the second-highest run-scorer in the competition with 158 runs from three appearances, emphasized the importance of the batting unit continuing to perform. "As a batting unit, we are backing our strength," she said. "Bowlers are also doing well at nets. But we need to keep improving ourselves."The 20-year-old also mentioned that the lower-order batters have been working hard in practice, despite not having had the opportunity to showcase their abilities in the tournament. "They haven't had much of a chance (to bat), but Deepti (Sharma), Pooja (Vastrakar), and all other lower batters are practicing well, and I am sure they are ready to hit a few sixes whenever their opportunity comes," she said.Verma stressed that the current title holders are particularly focused on improving their fielding. "We are working hard on our fielding," she said. "Hopefully, we will be able to tick the boxes in all three departments - batting, bowling, fielding - tomorrow against Bangladesh."