Zimbabwe emerges as surprise contender to host Women's T20 World Cup 2024 after BCCI's rejection

Zimbabwe Cricket has expressed its interest in hosting to Women's T20 World Cup 2024. As per the reports in ESPNCricinfo, it is learned that they want to host the tournament as they are keen to promote themselves as a destination for big cricket, especially after hosting the last two ODI World Cup Qualifiers (in 2018 and 2023).

The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has come under serious scanner. The tournament is slated to take place from October 3 and is scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh. But the tournament being played in the Asain country looks in jeopardy because of the situation of the country.

As per the reports, it is learned that the Women's T20 World Cup is all set to be moved from Bangladesh due to security issues. There are riots going on in the country related to the anti-government agitations and it has also seen a lot of people getting killed.

With Zimbabwe putting their hands up for hosting the tournament, they have emerged as one of two options being considered to host the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 this year along with the United Arab Emirates. India recently mentioned that they won't be hosting the competition. The reports claimed that an official decision is expected to be made by the ICC board on Tuesday, August 20.

Zimbabwe has been away from hosting major events. During the Robert Mugabe regime, Zimbabwe cut itself off from much of the world. They also had a self-imposed Test hiatus between 2005 and 2011, and the men's team failed to qualify for two successive ODI World Cups and two of the last three T20 World Cups.

The women's team Zimbabwe hasn't featured in the World Cup. They will not feature in the tournament this year as well but they are eager to be neutral hosts of the tournament. Notably, United Arab Emirates has also not featured in the women's T20 World Cup.

Harare and Bulawayo to be two venues in Zimbabwe for Women's T20 World Cup 2024

If the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 takes place in Zimbabwe, they can offer two venues Harare Sports Club (which also has newly installed floodlights) and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. These venues also hosted matches in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers.

The weather in Zimbabwe is also expected to be good during the Women's T20 World Cup. The country is also entering summer in October and with minimal rain expected, there are high chances that they might be the prime choice to host the tournament.

Additionally, Zimbabwe will be able to generate crowds including school children at venues, where the maximum capacity is 10,000. Apart from this, it is also learned that Sri Lanka has fallen out of contention for weather-related reasons to host the Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

Australia are the defending champions and would be hoping to continue their dominance in the tournament, having won the title six times. England and the West Indies won the title twice while India is yet to win. It remains to be seen who among them will emerge victorious.