The political unrest in Bangladesh, the hosts of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, has put the future of the tournament in jeopardy - here are the latest updates no the ever-evolving situation.
What has been happening in Bangladesh?
There used to be a high reservation percentage in Bangladesh Civil Service for the descendants of the War of Independence from Pakistan in 1971. In 2018, a government circular changed it to “93 per cent for general people, 5 per cent quota for freedom fighters and their kin, 1 per cent for ethnic minority community, and 1 per cent for third gender and physically disabled.”
In December 2022, there was an unrest in the nation when “tens of thousands” demanded the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. There were more protests in October 2023, resulting in the death of two people.
On June 5, 2024, the High Court ruled on a writ petition and deemed the 2018 circular as illegal. This led to nationwide protests, chiefly among students. The government responded with violence, resulting in the death of at least 17 students.
Junior information technology minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak confirmed that mobile internet in the nation had been “temporarily suspended” to curb “various rumours” and the “unstable situation” created on social media. News websites like The Daily Star and Dhaka Tribune went down, and internet providers cut off access to Facebook. All this resulted in very little verifiable news emerging from the nation.
What happened this week?
As the students gained sympathy, the movement snowballed into a mass anti-government revolution in Bangladesh. The participants were citizens, unhappy with the socioeconomic and political scenario, corruption, human rights violations, and increasing authoritarianism.
On August 3, the students movement leaders issued a clarion call for “comprehensive non-cooperation”, demanding Hasina’s resignation.
On August 4, there were reports of violence between the citizens and the government throughout the nation, leading to the death of 97.
On August 5, the leaders marched their way through Dhaka, the national capital. Hasina resigned that afternoon and fled to India and the protestors stormed her residence. Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman assumed charge. Amidst numerous rumours, the prime minister’s post remains vacant.
Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mashrafe Mortaza is a member of Hasina’s Awami League party. His residence in Narail was destroyed by the protestors.
What is the current scenario? Will the Women's T20 World Cup be held in Bangladesh?
All this has put the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played across Dhaka and Sylhet from October 3, in some jeopardy.
“The ICC is closely monitoring developments in coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, their security agencies and our own independent security consultants” an ICC official told ESPNcricinfo. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants.”
The governments of Australia, England and India are among the countries to have issued travel advisories to their citizens against visiting Bangladesh. ESPNcricinfo reported that the ICC are already working towards a back-up venue. India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE are viable options.
What else can be at stake?
Bangladesh A were scheduled to leave for Pakistan today (August 6), but since the Dhaka airport was closed, the tour was delayed by 48 hours “due to unforeseen circumstances”, confirmed a Pakistan Cricket Board release. The matches are scheduled to begin from August 10.
The Bangladesh senior team, on the other hand, will leave Pakistan for August 17, to play two Test matches at Rawalpindi and Karachi. There is no update on that yet.
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