Ongama Gcwabe
PHOLETSI Moseki, chief executive officer at Cricket South Africa (CSA), has emphasised that the organisation will await and follow the directive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), who are monitoring the political developments in Bangladesh ahead of the T20 Women’s World Cup in two months’ time.
The ICC is co-ordinating with the Bangladesh Cricket Board amid the uncertainty surrounding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled her country earlier this week due to anti-government protests.
CSA, like any other governing body that is taking part in the coming 10-team tournament, would be wary of sending their players and staff into a country with political unrest, for safety reasons.
In conversation with Independent Newspapers, Moseki emphasised that CSA will not blow the situation out of proportion or make any hasty decisions.
“We will await directive from the ICC,” said Moseki.
Reports yesterday indicated that the ICC was considering relocating the tournament, with India, Sri Lanka and the UAE touted as possible host nations.
During last month’s ICC annual conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the matter of unrest in Bangladesh over a government jobs quota system – which has now evolved into a more general anti-government protest – was raised by a few member nations. The issue was not on the agenda of the four-day conference, hence it was not discussed formally.
The governments of several participating nations, including Australia, England and India, have issued travel advisories due to the unrest in Bangladesh.
The 10 teams have been divided into two groups of five, with Group A made up of India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, defending champions Australia and Pakistan, while Group B comprises hosts Bangladesh, South Africa, West Indies, England and Scotland.
World Cup 2023 runners-up South Africa are scheduled to play England in their opening match of the 23-match tournament, before hosts Bangladesh face Scotland, on October 3.