Cricket

Scotland's Women's T20 World Cup squad, led by all-rounder Kathryn Bryce, is brimming with talent and experience. The team's maiden appearance at the global tournament will be a testament to their remarkable progress in recent years.Kathryn Bryce, a versatile all-rounder, will don the captain's armband, while her sister Sarah Bryce, a wicketkeeper, will serve as vice-captain. The squad boasts a formidable lineup of all-rounders, including Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, and Megan McColl."The balance of this squad is exceptional," said head coach Craig Wallace. "We have match-winners throughout the lineup, which is a significant improvement in the team's evolution. Players have consistently delivered crucial performances, and that depth extends across the entire squad."Scotland's qualification for the tournament was secured after finishing second to Sri Lanka in the qualifier held in the UAE earlier this year. Their impressive performances in the Netherlands, where they triumphed in five out of six matches in a tri-series against the hosts and Papua New Guinea, further showcased their capabilities."The recent Netherlands series demonstrated the depth within our squad," Wallace added. "Players who were not selected for this tournament have pushed and performed consistently throughout the year. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire group."Thirteen members of Scotland's qualifier squad have been retained for the T20 World Cup, including offspinner Olivia Bell and former captain Abbi Aitken-Drummond, who impressed in the Netherlands.Scotland will face a formidable challenge in Group B, which includes England, Bangladesh, South Africa, and West Indies. They will depart for the UAE in mid-September for a training camp and two warm-up matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Their tournament opener is scheduled against Bangladesh on October 3.

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.

England's Women's T20 World Cup squad has been announced, with Freya Kemp and Bess Heath earning their first call-ups. Danielle Gibson also makes her World Cup debut, while Lauren Filer misses out.Kemp, an allrounder, and Heath, a backup wicketkeeper, will also join the team for their upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland. Kate Cross will captain the side in Ireland, which will feature several potential debutants.England's meticulous planning for the T20 World Cup has resulted in a squad with few surprises. Sophia Dunkley retains her spot ahead of Tammy Beaumont, who will join the team for the Ireland tour.Linsey Smith provides backup spin support to Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and Sarah Glenn. Kemp and Gibson's versatility as seam-bowling allrounders means England opted against Filer's extra pace. However, Filer will join the team for their training camp in Abu Dhabi.Mahika Gaur, a teenage left-arm seamer, is included in the T20I squad for Ireland. The Women's T20 World Cup was originally scheduled for Bangladesh but was moved to the UAE due to civil unrest."Selecting teams has become incredibly tough," said England head coach Jon Lewis. "There are players who have been unfortunate to miss out, but they remain a part of our future plans."Captain Heather Knight expressed her excitement for the World Cup and the squad's balance. "World Cups are special events, and I'm thrilled with the team we've selected," she said.Cross, who will captain England in Ireland, acknowledged her unlikely chances of making the World Cup squad. She will be joined by Beaumont, Issy Wong, and Mady Villiers, who last played for England in 2021.

The upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to kick off in the United Arab Emirates, and the warm-up matches have been announced. All 10 qualified teams will participate in these practice games, with each side playing two matches.The warm-up fixtures will be held from September 28 to October 1, and will provide teams with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the main event. The matches will be 20 overs per side and will not have international T20 status, allowing teams to field all members of their 15-player squad.Group A of the tournament features defending champions Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Group B includes England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland, and Bangladesh.The warm-up fixtures will begin on September 28 with Pakistan taking on Scotland and Sri Lanka facing Bangladesh. Australia will face arch-rivals England the following day, while India will take on 2016 edition champions West Indies on the same day.The warm-up matches will be crucial for teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and to build momentum ahead of the tournament. The matches will also provide an opportunity for players to gain valuable match experience and to adjust to the conditions in the UAE.The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will be held from October 10 to 20 in Dubai and Sharjah. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will be held on October 17 and 18. The final will be played in Dubai on October 20.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed fast bowler Fatima Sana as the captain of the 15-member squad for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October. Sana takes over the captaincy from all-rounder Nida Dar.This will be the first time that the 22-year-old Sana will lead Pakistan in T20Is and at any ICC event. She has previously captained the national team twice in ODIs, including a memorable Super Over victory against New Zealand at Hagley Oval when she stood in for the concussed Dar.Apart from the captaincy change, the Pakistan squad remains largely unchanged from the one that toured Sri Lanka for the Women's T20 Asia Cup last month. The only alteration is the inclusion of batter Sadaf Shamas, who was also part of the Women's T20 World Cup in 2023, in place of wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi.Ten players from the previous T20 World Cup assignment in 2023 have been retained in the 15-member squad. These include Aliya Riaz, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Shamas, Dar, and Fatima. Left-arm spinner Sadia's selection is subject to fitness, while uncapped left-arm seamer Tasmia Rubab has also been included in the squad.Pakistan has also named Alvi, who was omitted from the main squad, as the traveling reserve. Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani are the non-traveling reserves.The Women's T20 World Cup will commence in the UAE on October 3. Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. The revised schedule for the tournament has yet to be announced after it was shifted from Bangladesh last week.

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.

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.