Zimbabwe and UAE Bid to Host 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup

Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates have emerged as new contenders to host the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. After India rejected the offer, the ICC continues to look for a new venue to host the World Cup in Bangladesh in October. 3.

The ICC is reportedly looking to host the ninth edition of the tournament outside Bangladesh, citing protests against the former government and security concerns. The ICC approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but Secretary Jai Shah declined the offer as it was the monsoon season.

“They [ICC] asked us if we will host the World Cup. I clearly said no,” Jai Shah told TOI on Thursday. “We are in the monsoon and beyond that we will be hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup next year. I don’t want to give any indication that I want consecutive World Cups.”

The UAE has also expressed interest in hosting the tournament as a neutral venue. UAE and Zimbabwe have not qualified for this edition of the T20 World Cup but are interested in hosting the tournament to raise their profile in world cricket.

Having previously hosted the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2003, Zimbabwe recently also hosted the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. Zimbabwe will host the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup with Namibia in 2026 and the next Women’s ODI World Cup with South Africa and Namibia in 2026.

Harare Sports Club and Buayose Queen’s Sports Club are two high-profile venues in Zimbabwe and the weather will not pose any problems in hosting the international tournament in October.

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains positive about hosting the tournament and has reportedly asked the ICC for more time to put its house in order. But the ICC is expected to take a final call before August 20.