ICC shifts Women's T20 World Cup to UAE from Bangladesh

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to relocate the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup from Bangladesh to the UAE.

The 10-team tournament, starting on October 3 with England facing South Africa and concluding on October 20, will now be hosted at two venues in the UAE—Dubai and Sharjah.

Although Bangladesh was originally slated to host the event, ongoing instability in the country led the ICC board to shift venues.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed regret about the venue shift.

“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,” he said in a statement.

He added, “Despite a last-minute attempt by the Bangladesh government, with support from the United Nations, to keep the tournament, the decision was inevitable as several countries, including Australia, India, New Zealand, and the UK, had issued travel warnings advising against travel to Bangladesh”.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) supported the ICC's decision to shift the tournament to the UAE, though Bangladesh will still be recognized as the official host.

Geoff Allardice also extended thanks to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their offers of support.

“I’d also like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host on behalf of the BCB and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous offers of support, and we look forward to seeing ICC global events in both of those countries in 2026," the statement concluded.