Cricket World Cup makes a HUGE change after Aussie skipper said it would be morally wrong to hold it in country where violence has killed hundreds of people
- Alyssa Healy made a heartfelt statement about the tournament
- Preparations overshadowed by shocking unrest in the country
Players, including Australian captain Alyssa Healy, have serious concerns about travelling to Bangladesh due to ongoing political unrest, which has led to the T20 World Cup being moved to another venue in October.
The Australians are the reigning champions, but Healy said this week she “can’t imagine” going to Bangladesh at the moment because “people are dying”. More than 400 people have been reported dead in a student uprising against the government.
The International Cricket Council had been actively seeking a new host and confirmed that the tournament would be played in the United Arab Emirates, with matches in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3-20.
“It is a shame that we are not hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would have put on a memorable event,” said ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice.
‘I would like to thank the BCB team for exploring all options to host the event in Bangladesh, but travel advisories from the governments of some of the participating teams meant that this was not feasible. However, they retain the rights to host the event. We look forward to bringing a global ICC event to Bangladesh in the near future.
“I would also like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board for their willingness to host the event on behalf of the BCB, and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous support. We look forward to seeing both countries host the ICC global events in 2026.”
Bangladesh has been rocked by deadly protests that led Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country last week, with the Australian government warning against going there.
On Monday, Healy expressed her concerns about playing a cricket tournament in such a dire situation.
Australian cricket captain Alyssa Healy (pictured left with her male counterpart, Pat Cummins) expressed her deep concern about the World Cup being held in Bangladesh
Healy’s statement that it would be immoral to hold the tournament in such a troubled country came just before the United Arab Emirates were announced as the new host
“I can’t imagine having a cricket event there at the moment and it taking money away from a country that is struggling and needs everyone who can use it to help people who are dying,” she said.
“I would find it difficult to play there at the moment. I would feel, as a human being, that it might not be the right choice.
‘There are bigger factors at play in Bangladesh right now than just hosting a cricket tournament.’
Australia has won the last three T20 World Cups, but the country would not be eligible to host the event as Bangladesh has been excluded.
The unrest in Bangladesh began last month amid protests against a quota system that reserves public jobs for children of freedom fighters.
Pictured: A shop on fire during the unrest in Bangladesh, where more than 400 people have recently died, at least 65 of them minors.
According to the United Nations, at least 65 of the more than 400 dead were minors, while the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has fled the country and resigned.
Australia announces the selection for the title defense next Monday. The fit, fast Tayla Vlaeminck has an irresistible chance of being selected.
Darcie Brown is also expected to be available again after suffering a stress fracture in her foot.
Australia played in Bangladesh in March and April, but spent most of the tour in hotels.
The tour was the team’s first visit to the country since the 2012 T20 World Cup and was seen as an important step in their preparations for this year’s tournament.