Bangladesh to appeal to UN for retaining Women's T20 World Cup hosting rights

Bangladesh is reaching out to the United Nations (UN) for assistance to retain hosting rights for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. The development comes as several countries have imposed travel restrictions on their citizens visiting Bangladesh, jeopardising the nation's ability to host the prestigious cricket tournament.

The Bangladesh government finds itself in a tricky situation as Australia, the United Kingdom, India, and New Zealand have either advised against or discouraged their citizens from traveling to the country. The move has created doubts over the tournament scheduled to begin on October 3. Asif Mahmud, the youth and sports adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, opened up on the issue.

"There are travel restrictions for some countries and so we will speak with the United Nations. 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," Mahmud said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed participating boards that it is monitoring the situation closely and considering all options, including relocating the tournament. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) views the travel restrictions as the most significant obstacle to hosting the event.

Adding to the difficulty of the situation is the ongoing crisis within the BCB itself. The board's president, Nazmul Hassan, has been missing since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Several directors with political connections are also unaccounted for, leaving the administration in chaos. 

"The BCB president is missing. Of course, for a federation to function, all of its organs need to work. The president holds an important responsibility and he is absent. The BCB is an autonomous federation and we cannot give them any decision," Mahmud added.

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The BCB needs reform: Syed Ashraful Huq

The government has suggested that the BCB directors explore solutions within the ICC's legal framework, potentially appointing an interim leader. Mahmud emphasised the need for systemic change to prevent corruption and ensure a permanent solution.

"We want to make required changes but at the same time we need to follow a process. We don't want to change the person; rather, we want to change the system so that whoever comes in by following that system, corruption cannot come in and we want to take steps so that we can make a permanent solution," he further said.

Former BCB general secretary Syed Ashraful Huq criticized the board's lack of progress since gaining Full Membership in 2000, highlighting the need for improved planning and delivery.

"The BCB needs reform, We gained Full Membership in 2000 but apart from some infrastructural development, we haven't seen much improvement in our performance in the last 24 years. BCB doesn't own a cricket ground, for instance. We lack in planning, and even when we have a plan, nobody has delivered on it. BCB officials don't lack in experience. Many of the directors are involved for 20-30 years, so their failure is quite disappointing," Huq said.