In a stunning twist that has blindsided many cricketing nations, Bangladesh has reportedly submitted an unexpected bid to host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 — a move that insiders say has completely shaken up the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) planning process. The shock bid, confirmed by multiple sources within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), comes at a time when India, England, and South Africa were seen as frontrunners to land hosting rights for the marquee tournament.
A senior BCB official, speaking anonymously, revealed, “We believe Bangladesh is ready to host a tournament of this scale. Our women’s team is improving rapidly, and the passion of Bangladeshi fans would create an electric atmosphere. We’ve formally submitted our bid to the ICC and are confident it will get serious consideration.”
If accepted, the bid would mark only the second time Bangladesh hosts a major ICC women’s event, the first being the 2014 Women’s T20 World Cup. BCB officials are reportedly pitching upgraded stadiums in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet, promising state-of-the-art facilities, fan-friendly experiences, and a nationwide promotional blitz to generate unprecedented buzz for women’s cricket in the region.
Sources close to the ICC say the Bangladesh bid has caught top officials off guard, as recent discussions had revolved largely around rotating the tournament between established hosts to guarantee high revenues. However, the ICC is said to be intrigued by the possibility of taking the tournament back to South Asia’s cricket-crazy heartland, especially given the region’s massive TV audience potential.
Social media exploded overnight, with hashtags like #Bangladesh2026 and #WWC2026Host trending across platforms as fans expressed excitement at the idea of a new host bringing fresh energy to the competition. Cricket legends like Bangladesh’s own Rumana Ahmed have voiced support, telling a local channel, “Hosting the World Cup here would inspire countless young girls and take women’s cricket to the next level in Bangladesh.”
Yet skeptics warn of logistical hurdles, citing past struggles with infrastructure and travel in the country during major men’s events. An ICC insider acknowledged, “While Bangladesh’s passion for cricket is unquestionable, we need to be sure they can handle the demands of a modern global tournament.”
The ICC is expected to announce the final host for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 by early next year. Will Bangladesh’s bold bid triumph and bring the world’s eyes to Dhaka — or will the ICC stick to traditional hosts? The countdown has begun.