BCCI refuses to host T20 World Cup in India, Jay Shah tells the reason

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected the offer to host the Women's T20 World Cup given by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC now has to make a final decision on the hosting on August 20. Sri Lanka and UAE are the other options left after withdrawing from hosting the tournament to be held between October 3 and 20.

According to Patrika, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said, “The ICC had proposed to us to host the World Cup. But I clearly refused, it is rainy season here and more importantly, we have to host the Women's ODI World Cup next year. I do not want to give the wrong message to anyone that we want to host two World Cups in a row." Bangladesh is currently facing violence and security challenges due to anti-government movements, and this is why the ICC is considering giving hosting rights to someone else instead of Bangladesh.

An ICC official said earlier this week that the situation in Bangladesh is being monitored and all options are kept open. An ICC statement said, "We are closely monitoring the developments there in coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), their security agencies, and our own independent security advisors. Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants."

While the new interim government in Bangladesh is making a last-ditch effort to save the tournament, the travel advisory issued by the government to several participating teams, including England, Australia and India, is one of the biggest hurdles for the BCB. Apart from the security challenges, the BCB is also in trouble. Their president and former sports minister Nazmul Hasan has been effectively out of office since the collapse of the Awami League government on August 5. Several board directors, who have political connections, are also not in touch.

The Bangladesh men's Test team is currently on a tour of Pakistan for a two-match series. They reached Pakistan just days ahead of the proposed Pakistan tour after practice was disrupted due to agitation in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh men's team is scheduled to tour India next month for two Tests and three T20 matches. Regarding Bangladesh's tour of India, Shah said, "We have not spoken to them (Bangladesh authorities). A new government has taken charge there. They may contact us or I will contact them. The Bangladesh series is very important for us."