'7 weeks left...': ICC issues big statement on Women's T20 World Cup amid unrest in Bangladesh

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a statement regarding the ongoing civil unrest in Bangladesh. Amid concerns of hosting the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, the ICC has given its first reaction stating that the apex body is monitoring the situation in the country and it is too early to comment whether the tournament will be held there or not.   

ICC issues statement on Bangladesh unrest

"The ICC has an independent security monitoring system across all its member nations. The situation is being monitored closely but with seven weeks left for the tournament to begin, it will be too early to comment whether the tournament will be shifted from Bangladesh," an ICC board member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

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What's happening in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has been witnessing fierce demonstrations over a controversial quota system that reserves 30 per cent of jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war.

The ICC source said a similar situation of unrest was there in Sri Lanka in March 2022 when protesters stormed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence citing corruption and inflation.

However, the Australian cricket team had travelled there for a bilateral series in June.

The World in Bangladesh is scheduled to be held in Dhaka and Sylhet.

As of now, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has "strongly advised Indian nationals against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice." The BCCI has always gone by government advice in these kind of situations.

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The ICC has contingency plans for unavoidable situations but Sri Lanka can be an option considering that the 2012 men's T20 World Cup was held there between September and October.

It will be interesting to see if the SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) send their women's teams to a country where security situation could remain vulnerable. 

(With PTI inputs)