The UAE has been announced as the new host for the Women’s T20 World Cup this October, following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to move the tournament from Bangladesh due to ongoing unrest in the South Asian country.
The ICC’s decision to relocate the 10-team tournament came after several participating nations expressed concerns over safety in Bangladesh. After considering alternative host countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, the ICC ultimately selected the UAE as the new venue for the global event.
The tournament, featuring 23 matches, will be held across Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to 20.
“It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would have staged a memorable event,” said Geoff Allardice, ICC Chief Executive. “I would like to thank the team at the BCB for exploring all avenues to try to enable the event to be hosted in Bangladesh, but travel advisories from the governments of a number of the participating teams meant that wasn’t feasible.”
Although Bangladesh will retain the hosting rights for a future ICC event, Allardice expressed gratitude to the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in at short notice. He also thanked Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their offers of support, noting that both countries are scheduled to host ICC events in 2026.
This marks the second time in recent years that the UAE has stepped in to host a major cricket event due to unforeseen circumstances. In 2022, the UAE, alongside Oman, co-hosted the Men’s T20 World Cup after it was moved from India amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UAE has a strong track record in hosting international cricket events, having successfully organized the qualifying tournaments for the last two Women’s T20 World Cups in Abu Dhabi. Although the UAE national women’s team narrowly missed out on qualifying for this year’s World Cup after a close loss to Sri Lanka in the semi-finals, the opportunity to host the event is a significant milestone in the development of women’s cricket in the country.
The tournament will bring some of the world’s top female cricketers, including stars like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alyssa Healy, Hayley Matthews, and Smriti Mandhana, to UAE soil. Their presence is expected to inspire a new generation of female cricketers in the Emirates, where the women’s game has seen rapid growth in recent years.
The ICC initially approached India as a potential alternative host for the tournament. However, Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), declined the offer, citing the monsoon season and the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup in India next year.
“They have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup,” Shah was quoted as saying. “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.”
With the tournament now set to take place in the UAE, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting showcase of the best in women’s cricket on a global stage.