BCB seeks security assurance from army for World Cup
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has kept a ray of hope alive over hosting the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. In the wake of violent protests after the country’s interim government imposed a state of emergency, the board on Thursday wrote to Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman seeking security assurances for hosting the tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on September 27 with practice matches. Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and has also considered other host options. A country with the same time zone as Bangladesh is likely to be chosen in case the tournament is held.
Interim government led by Nobel laureate Professor
Several board directors, including BCB president Nazmul Hasan, have said India, UAE and Sri Lanka are in line with the need. On Thursday (August 8), an interim government led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus was appointed to run the country until fresh elections are held. After Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country, several board directors, including BCB president Nazmul Hasan, were also forced to leave Bangladesh as they had the support of Hasina’s party Awami League.
However, some other board directors remain in Dhaka and are hopeful about hosting the big event. “We are trying to host the tournament,” BCB umpire committee chairman Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu told Cricbuzz. “Honestly, we don’t have too many people in the country and on Thursday (August 8) we have sent a letter to the army chief seeking assurances about the security of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as we have only two months left,” Mithu told Cricbuzz on Thursday.
ICC contacted us two days ago
The ICC contacted us two days ago and we replied that we will get back to them soon. Even after the [interim] government is formed today, we have to assure them of security, as this security cannot be given by anyone other than the board or the law enforcement agency of the country.
We have sent the letter today and after getting written assurance from them [the army], we will inform the ICC. Ten teams are scheduled to play 23 matches over 18 days in the World Cup, which will be played at two venues in Bangladesh – Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet – from October 3 to 20. It is learnt that the ICC will take time till August 10 before deciding on the venue of the tournament after assessing the ground conditions in Bangladesh.
Final decision on tournament venue by ECC by August 10
The ICC is expected to take a final decision on the venue of the tournament by August 10 after thoroughly evaluating the situation in Bangladesh. Ten teams are scheduled to play 23 matches over 18 days in the World Cup. The World Cup will be held from October 3 to 20 at two venues in Bangladesh: the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet.
The ICC is expected to take a final decision on the venue of the tournament by August 10 after conducting a thorough assessment of the situation in Bangladesh. After the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, several BCB officials, including President Nazmul Hasan, were forced to leave the country due to their support for Hasina’s party, the Awami League. This has led to instability within the BCB and raised doubts over the holding of the World Cup.
Working on organising the tournament
Iftikhar Ahmed Mithu, chairman of the BCB’s umpire committee, told that we are working on organising the tournament. Honestly, there are not many people available in the country and on Thursday we have sent a letter to the Chief of Staff regarding the security of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. We have only two months left.
The ICC contacted us two days ago and we replied that we will update them soon. Once the interim government is formed, we need to provide them security assurances as only the law enforcement agencies of the country can give this assurance, not the board or any other body. Hence, we have sent the letter today and will inform the ICC once we get written assurances from the army.
Conclusion
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in October, is facing a potential threat due to political instability following the imposition of emergency by the former government and violent protests. In view of these developments, the ICC is considering alternative venues.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is still hopeful and has approached Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff General Waqar-uz-Zaman seeking assurances on security for the World Cup. The dialogue took place on Thursday, as the BCB seeks to address security concerns associated with hosting the tournament.
The Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held from October 3 to 20, with ten teams participating. The ICC had earlier indicated that they are monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. The options under consideration include India, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.
