Australia captain Alyssa Healy speaks out against holding Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh

In light of the escalating political unrest in Bangladesh, Australian women's cricket team captain Alyssa Healy has voiced concerns about hosting the Women's T20 World Cup in the country.

The tournament, initially set to take place from October 3 to 20, remains in limbo as the ICC has yet to make a final decision.

"I'd find it hard to fathom playing there [in Bangladesh] at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do," Healy said. "(That would be) taking resources away from a country that is really struggling. They're needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying.

"There's obviously bigger factors at play than putting a cricket tournament on in Bangladesh at the moment ... but I'll leave it to the ICC to work out," Healy added.

The political turmoil in Bangladesh, which has led to the ousting of the current government and the reported flight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has also impacted the cricket administration. Reports suggest that Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan has offered to step down, and cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus officially resigned on Monday, August 19.

Despite the chaos, Bangladesh remains hopeful of stabilizing the situation and hosting the tournament as planned. However, India has withdrawn its bid, while the UAE has emerged as a potential alternative venue.

As the ICC is expected to announce its decision on Tuesday, August 20, Healy expressed confidence that a last-minute venue change would not disrupt the reigning champions, Australia. The team recently toured Bangladesh, securing a 3-0 T20I series win earlier this year. Healy believes that experience on slow, turning pitches has prepared her team well for the World Cup, regardless of the location.

"Going there and getting used to those conditions and slow turning wickets has probably put us in a good place. It's more about what our team looks like, and what people are working on individually headed into a World Cup on the subcontinent," Healy opined.

"Whether it is in Bangladesh, or it's not in Bangladesh, I don't think affects us greatly with the make-up of what we've got. We're well prepared for whatever is thrown at us," she added.