Bangladesh wants UN support for Women’s T20 World Cup

Bangladesh has appealed to the United Nations for assistance ahead of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in October, which the nation is hosting.

Due to unrest caused by ongoing protests, some countries have imposed travel restrictions on their citizens visiting Bangladesh.

These restrictions put the nation’s hosting rights under threat.

However, Bangladesh hopes the United Nations will come to its aid and assist with security to ensure the country is still able to host the tournament.

Why 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup faces uncertainty

Student protests have rocked Bangladesh, resulting in the removal of the government.

Since then, the South Asian nation has continued to experience sporadic violence and skirmishes.

Consequently, Australia, the United Kingdom, India and New Zealand have all issued travel advisory warnings against visiting Bangladesh.

This raises questions about holding the event — which is due to begin on October 3 — against a backdrop of socio-political upheaval.

Asif Mahmud, youth and sports advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, has commented on the matter.

“There are travel restrictions for some countries and so we will speak with the United Nations,” Mahmud said on Monday.

“There are some issues regarding security and infrastructure and we will talk in this regard with Professor Yunus [chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government].

“He is a sports lover and hopes that he can resolve the matter.”

Making matters worse, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is still in a chaotic state.

The president of the board, Nazmul Hassan, has been untraceable since the Awami League government fell on August 5.

Other directors who have political connections have also gone missing, further destabilising the situation.

Australia favourites to win Women’s T20 World Cup

Unsurprisingly, Australia enjoy the shortest odds to win the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The six-time champions are paying -149.25 with cricket bookmakers to take home the trophy for the fourth time in succession.

India are second favourites at +400 as they chase their maiden title, with Harmanpreet Kaur and her team set to benefit from home-like conditions in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Rounding out the top three at +450 are England, who will be hoping for a strong campaign from left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone as they hunt their first Women’s T20 World Cup crown since 2009.

The odds blow out significantly from there, with New Zealand and South Africa next best at +1700 apiece.

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