Bangladesh want to be co-host of ICC World Cup

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will become a 14-team tournament in 2027 and 2031, whilst the ICC T20 World Cup will be expanded to a 20-team contest in 2024, 2026, 2028 and 2030. An eight-team Champions Trophy will be hosted in 2025 and 2029.

However, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Chief Nazmul Hasan Paon on Tuesday evening told media that they will bid to host in any one of two Champions Trophy events alone. He also said Bangladesh wants to be jointly host any one of two World Cups.

Earlier, Bangladesh hosted T20 World Cup in 2014. Bangladesh also co-hosted 2011 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

The dazzling opening ceremony of ICC World Cup 2011 took place in Bangladesh. Bangladesh also hosted total 8 matches in 2011 World Cup. Later Bangladesh successfully hosted 2014 T20 World Cup alone that caught many eyes.

“We can’t organise the ODI and T20 World Cup alone. We will try to organise jointly. We will talk with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) about the matter. If we bid together, we are more likely to host the World Cup jointly. Whatever we do, we have to finalize in a day or two.” Papon told media after ending the BCB’s emergency board meeting on Tuesday.

According to BCB Chief, there must be at least 10 venues for the ODI World Cup and at least eight venues for the T20 World Cup. BCB cannot afford to meet this demand. Therefore BCB want to host the ICC mega event jointly.

Among other major decisions, BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon said they are planning to form a new shadow team called ‘Bangladesh Tigers’ outside the national cricket team.

Those who are snubbed from the national team will play for the new-formed team. They will get opportunity to practice with the national team under the supervision of national coaching stuffs.