MUMBAI: With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) having refused to host the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the likely alternative to host the event, even as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), trying it's best to prevent the tournament from being moved out, is still keen to host it, despite the turmoil in their country.
The UAE, which offers three world-class cricketing venues at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, has emerged as the frontrunner.
With Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka also being in the race, the International Cricket Council (ICC), it's understood, will this week take a final call on which country will eventually host the event, as time is now running out.
The ICC had earlier requested India, it's No 1 alternative, to host the event but the BCCI declined the offer, which came after the recent turmoil in Bangladesh.
"They (ICC) have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no. 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," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said at a meeting with TOI's reporters and editors in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The tournament runs from October 3 to 20, involving 10 teams and 23 matches.
U-19 Women's 2025 World Cup out of Thailand
Meanwhile, after Thailand backed out of co-hosting the women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025, the ICC on Sunday declared Malaysia as the sole hosts of the 16-team tournament (Samoa will make their debut), which will be played at four venues.
Defending champions India are grouped with West Indies, Sri Lanka and hosts Malaysia for the event, which will begin on January 18, 2025. The 41-game event will conclude with the final on Feb 2.
