One of the two countries being considered to host the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year is Zimbabwe. Bangladesh was originally supposed to serve as the host nation for the international competition, which is due to begin on October 3.
But after sociopolitical unrest rocked the nation and raised security worries, it’s probably going to be relocated out of the Asian country. India withdrew their bid to host the event on Thursday, August 15, therefore the United Arab Emirates is also vying to host. It is known that the ICC board is anticipated to make a decision on Tuesday, August 20.
Zimbabwe’s interest stems from their desire to market themselves as a major cricket destination after successfully hosting the last two ODI World Cup Qualifiers (in 2018 and 2023), according to. The African country, along with South Africa and Kenya, last hosted a World Cup in 2003. Two of the last three T20 World Cups and two consecutive ODI World Cups were missed by the Zimbabwean men’s squad.
Zimbabwe is interested in serving as the tournament’s neutral host. The women’s team, like the UAE’s, has never participated in a World Cup and will not be there this year.
In 2026, Zimbabwe will co-host the men’s Under-19 World Cup together Namibia, and in 2027, it will co-host the ODI World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia. Prior to these significant cricket tournaments, Zimbabwe Cricket and local government officials in Mutare and Victoria Falls will collaborate to construct two additional international grounds.
Zimbabwe currently has two potential locations for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup: Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Harare Sports Club in Harare, which recently added floodlights. All of the World Cup Qualifiers from the previous year were streamed from these stadiums, with games played at Takashinga Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club.
Rain won’t be a major factor as Zimbabwe enters the monsoon season in October. When the ICC chooses whether to change the location of the Women’s T20 World Cup, this might be a crucial consideration. India withdrew since the nation would be seeing the final stages of the monsoon. It’s also believed that weather-related issues prevented Sri Lanka from competing.
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The tournament’s organising expenses in Zimbabwe are far lower than those in the United Arab Emirates. The African nation thinks that this can also be advantageous to them.