Cricket

England's Women's T20 World Cup preparations have been thrown into disarray by the late venue change from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The team is now anticipating empty stadiums and different playing conditions, but they are confident that their upcoming training camp in Abu Dhabi will help them mitigate the impact.The ICC's decision to move the tournament from Bangladesh due to civil unrest has forced England to adjust their plans. Captain Heather Knight acknowledges that the lack of crowds will be a significant change, as Bangladesh would have provided a more enthusiastic atmosphere. However, she emphasizes that the team's focus should be on the World Cup itself, which should provide enough motivation.England will play their first three matches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which has a capacity of 16,000, and their final group match at the Dubai International Stadium, which can accommodate 25,000 spectators. However, neither venue has a history of attracting large crowds for women's cricket matches.Knight acknowledges that the lack of crowd support could affect some players, but she believes that the team needs to prepare for all possibilities. She also highlights the importance of safety and security, which were key factors in the ICC's decision to relocate the tournament.Despite the venue change, England's head coach, Jon Lewis, supports the ICC's decision. He believes that the conditions in the UAE will not be drastically different from those in Bangladesh, and that the team's spin-heavy strategy will still be effective.To prepare for the tournament, England will arrive in Abu Dhabi on September 13 for a three-week training camp. Lewis emphasizes the importance of this camp, as it will allow the team to practice on wickets similar to those they will encounter in the World Cup.England's squad remains unchanged despite the venue change. Lewis believes that the team has enough seam bowling options, despite concerns that they may be one seamer short. He also highlights the effectiveness of spin bowling in women's cricket, which will be a key factor in the UAE.Lauren Filer, who impressed in the Hundred, was the only player to miss out on selection. However, she will travel to Abu Dhabi for the training camp. Knight praised Filer's performances but acknowledged that Linsey Smith's versatility as a left-arm spinner gave her the edge.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper of the Indian women's cricket team, exudes confidence in her team's ability to clinch their maiden global title at the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. She believes that the playing conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the tournament has been relocated due to political instability in Bangladesh, could favor the Indian side.Despite the change in venue, Harmanpreet remains unfazed, stating that the conditions in the UAE are similar to those in India. "We have not played much cricket in the UAE, but the conditions are going to be similar to Indian conditions," she said. "We will see how the conditions play out and try to adjust ourselves as soon as possible."Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of a positive and assertive approach throughout the World Cup. "As a team, we learn from our defeats and break those barriers that are pushing us back. Hopefully, this time we can express ourselves in a more positive way in the World Cup," she said.She expressed confidence in the Indian bowling attack, despite their struggles in the recent Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. "The bowlers are working really hard as a team and, hopefully, in this World Cup, we tick all the boxes," she said.Harmanpreet, who led Mumbai Indians to victory in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL), stressed the significance of staying focused on the present moment. "It is always important for us to play good cricket, keeping ourselves in the present. Whatever the situation is in front of us, we go there and evaluate it as soon as possible," she said.The Indian women's cricket team has consistently performed well in major tournaments, reaching the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup and the semifinals of the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet's leadership and the team's determination to break the final barrier and secure their first global title will be crucial in their quest for glory in the upcoming tournament.

India-Pakistan Rivalry to Ignite Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in UAEThe highly anticipated Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has been relocated from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the tournament set to take place from October 6 to 20. The relocation was necessitated due to logistical challenges in Bangladesh.The tournament will feature 10 teams divided into two groups, with six-time champions Australia drawn in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Group B comprises South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Scotland.The India-Pakistan clash on October 6 is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament, given the historic rivalry between the two nations. The match will be played in Dubai, which will also host the final on October 20.Each team will play four group matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals on October 17 and 18. The tournament will feature 23 matches across two venues, with 10 warm-up matches scheduled from September 28 to October 1.The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be an exciting and competitive event, with some of the world's best cricketers set to showcase their skills. The relocation to the UAE is expected to provide a safe and secure environment for the tournament, while also ensuring that fans from around the world can witness the action live.

ICC Considers Relocating Women's T20 World Cup from Bangladesh Amid Political UnrestAmidst escalating political tensions in Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating moving the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup out of the country. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC held a virtual board meeting on Tuesday and identified the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a potential alternative venue.The tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from October 3 to 20, has been thrown into uncertainty due to the ongoing political crisis. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reportedly agreed to the shift but will remain the official host of the event.The decision to relocate the tournament is primarily driven by concerns over the safety and security of players, officials, and spectators. Bangladesh has been experiencing widespread protests and political unrest in recent weeks, raising concerns about the ability to host a major international sporting event.The ICC is expected to make a final decision on the venue change in the coming days. If the tournament is indeed moved to the UAE, it would mark the second time in a row that the Women's T20 World Cup has been held in the country. The 2020 edition was also hosted in the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The potential relocation of the tournament has drawn mixed reactions. Some have expressed disappointment that Bangladesh will not be able to host the event, while others have welcomed the decision to prioritize safety and security.The ICC is committed to ensuring the well-being of all participants and will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh closely. The organization will provide further updates as they become available.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to announce the host nation for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as the frontrunner. The BCCI's refusal to host the event has opened the door for alternative venues, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe also expressing interest.The UAE boasts three world-class cricket stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, making it an ideal location for the tournament. The ICC is expected to make a final decision this week, as time is running out to finalize arrangements.Meanwhile, Thailand has withdrawn as co-host of the 2025 Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup, leaving Malaysia as the sole host. The tournament will feature 16 teams, including debutants Samoa, and will be played at four venues. Defending champions India are grouped with West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia in the tournament, which begins on January 18, 2025.The ICC's decision to move the Women's T20 World Cup out of India has sparked controversy. BCCI secretary Jay Shah cited monsoon conditions and the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup in 2023 as reasons for declining the offer. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains keen on hosting the tournament despite ongoing political turmoil in the country.The ICC's decision will have a significant impact on the development of women's cricket. The Women's T20 World Cup is a prestigious event that showcases the best female cricketers in the world. Hosting the tournament in a country with a strong cricketing infrastructure and a passionate fan base will help to raise the profile of women's cricket and inspire future generations of players.

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.

In a thrilling encounter between United Arab Emirates XI and Pakistan XI, Pakistan emerged victorious after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. The match was played on a lively pitch, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.Pakistan's bowlers started strongly, with Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana delivering a series of accurate deliveries that kept the UAE batters in check. Esha Oza, the UAE captain, managed to score a couple of runs off Iqbal in the 1.5th over, but the Pakistan bowlers continued to dominate.Sana, in particular, was in impressive form, bowling with pace and precision. She conceded only one run in her first three overs, while Iqbal also kept the runs down. The UAE batters struggled to find the gaps, with Theertha Satish and Rinitha Rajith both failing to score off Sana's deliveries.As the innings progressed, Pakistan's bowlers continued to apply pressure. Iqbal bowled a maiden over in the 1.2th over, while Sana dismissed Oza for a duck in the 0.1st over. The UAE batters were unable to build any momentum, and Pakistan's bowlers kept them on the back foot throughout the innings.In the end, the UAE XI managed to score only 23 runs in their allotted 20 overs, with Oza top-scoring with 4 runs. Pakistan's bowlers were in excellent form, with Sana taking 2 wickets for 4 runs and Iqbal conceding just 6 runs in her 4 overs.In response, Pakistan's batters chased down the target with ease. Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen opened the innings for Pakistan and put on a solid partnership of 20 runs. Aliya Riaz then came in and scored a quickfire 15 runs off 10 balls to seal the victory for Pakistan.The win takes Pakistan to the second spot in the points table of Group A, while the UAE XI remain at the bottom after losing both their matches.

India Dominates UAE in Asia Cup, Eyes Semifinal BerthDefending champions India continued their impressive run in the Women's Asia Cup, crushing the United Arab Emirates by 104 runs in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a blistering start, amassing 85 runs in just 9.3 overs. Despite losing three wickets in quick succession, India's batters remained relentless.India's dominance was evident in their ruthless pursuit of Pakistan's modest target in their previous match. The Indian batters chased down the total with 35 balls to spare, showcasing their clinical efficiency.Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, who recently returned to the Indian fold, will be eager to contribute to the wicket-taking tally. India's bowlers, including Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, and Pooja Vastrakar, impressed against Pakistan with their economical spells.India's focus will be on refining their tactics against the UAE, rather than dwelling on their opponents' weaknesses. A victory over the Emirates will boost India's points tally to four and improve their Net Run Rate, which currently stands at +2.29.India's supremacy was on full display in their seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan. The UAE faces an uphill battle to overcome Harmanpreet Kaur's formidable side. India's dominance in the tournament has positioned them as strong contenders for a semifinal berth.

Sri Lanka Women's cricket team secured a thrilling 15-run victory over United Arab Emirates in the semi-final of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi. This triumph not only earned them a spot in the main event in Bangladesh later this year but also a place in Tuesday's final against Scotland.Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 149 for 6, thanks to a solid innings from Vishmi Gunaratne, who top-scored with 45 runs off 44 deliveries. Gunaratne shared a 52-run opening partnership with Chamari Athapaththu, who contributed 21 runs. After Athapaththu's dismissal, the middle order accelerated the scoring, adding 43 runs in the final three overs. Nilakshika Silva's quickfire 18 off 10 balls, including three boundaries, helped boost the total.In response, UAE's chase got off to a shaky start as Inoshi Fernando dismissed Theertha Satish for a duck. However, Esha Oza emerged as a beacon of hope for UAE, smashing 66 runs off 44 balls, including two fours and four sixes. Her aggressive batting kept UAE in contention for an upset.Khushi Sharma (22) and Kavisha Egodage (16) provided valuable support to Oza, but Sri Lanka's bowlers managed to break through the UAE resistance. Athapaththu dismissed Egodage, while Udeshika Prabodhani bowled Oza in the next over. The run-out of Heena Hotchandani triggered a collapse, with UAE losing three wickets for just seven runs in 12 balls.Athapaththu claimed another wicket, removing Samaira Dharnidharka for 5. Vaishnave Mahesh fought valiantly for UAE, scoring 13 not out off eight balls, but the asking rate proved too daunting. Sri Lanka's bowlers held their nerve, restricting UAE to 134 for 7, securing a hard-fought victory.