The ICC have confirmed that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 has been moved out of Bangladesh. The tournament now will be played in the United Arab Emirates from 3 to 20 October. Dubai and Sharjah will be the two venues for the marquee tournament.

The tournament was set to be hosted by Bangladesh. However, due to the unrest in the country, the International Cricket Council have decided to take the tournament out from Bangladesh.

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Though the tournament has been moved to UAE, Bangladesh Cricket Board will continue as the host for the tournament. 

“It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would have staged a memorable event,” ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said after the decision.

“I’d also like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host on behalf of the BCB and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous offers of support, and we look forward to seeing ICC global events in both of those countries in 2026," he added.

Indian women's cricket team have been placed in Group A alongside Australia, the most successful team in the tournament's history, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

Two teams from each group will play in the semi-final on 17th and 18th October while the final will be played on 20th October.

Bangladesh scripted a history for themselves after beating West Indies in the second and last test of the WI vs BAN series by a massive 101 runs at Kingston on Tuesday. This was their first test win in West Indies since 2009. Taijul Islam (1/24 & 5/50) was the player of the match in the last test.

After getting thrashed in the first test, Bangladesh came back strong to draw the series by 1-1 and secure their third away win in 2024 - their most in a calendar year.

First Inning | Bangladesh 164

Except for Shadman Islam (64) and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (36), none could stand against the fiery spells of Jayden Seales (4/5) and Shamar Joseph (3/49). The West Indian bowling line up was so impeccable that Jayden Seales registered the most economical figures in Test cricket since 1978, giving away just 5 runs in 15.5 overs while taking four wickets.

Shadman and Mehidy tried their bests but could not take Bangladesh over 200 in the first inning. 

Jayden 'Seales' the record! 🤩

The Windies spearhead recorded the best economy rate in Test cricket since 1978 as his 4 wickets helped bundle Bangladesh for 164! 👏🏻#WIvBANonFanCode pic.twitter.com/WNSyHAqa0S

— FanCode (@FanCode) December 2, 2024

Second Inning | West Indies 146

After a not-so-good show with the bat, Bangladesh made a quick turn around in the match by bundling out the home side for 146 in their first inning. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite tried to play a steady inning but after his dismissal at 39 from 129 balls, West Indian batting lineup fell like a house of cards. 

From 2/94, they were bowled out for 146 in just next 20 overs. Nahid Rana was the star of the show for Bangladesh, picking up his first five-wicket haul in test cricket with a fiery 5/61 in 18 overs.

Third Inning | Bangladesh 268

Despite having an important 18-run lead in the first inning, Bangladesh could not capitalize with their momentum. Mahmudul Hasan Joy returned to pavilion for a duck in the first over and Shadman Islam (46) had to solidify Bangladesh's inning again. But, after his dismissal, it was captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (42 from 39 balls) who tried his best to take the counter attack to the West Indian bowlers. 

However, with Bangladesh at 193/5 at the end of Day 3's play, it was Jaker Ali who took them to a respectable score. Even after getting hit on the helmet early on Day 4, Jaker continued like a true fighter and scored his third test fifty in his third test match. 

He could have got his maiden test ton, if he was not forced to go for big shots while playing with the tail. With Zaker getting out on his best test score of 91, Bangladesh finished on 268 in the second innings, giving West Indies a 287 run target.

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Fourth Inning | West Indies 185 

With the series on the line, Bangladesh bowlers had to come up with a great performance on Day 4 and Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed provided them the start they were looking for. After Taijul removed a solid looking Kraigg Brathwaite (43), and followed it up with the wicket of Alick Athanaze in his next over, Bangladesh were close to a historic victory.

Post Kavem Hodge's (55) wicket, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Naihid Rana ran through the West Indian tail to register a historic win for Bangladesh.

A stand at the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata will soon be named after India's legendary fast bowler Jhulan Goswami. 

According to ICC, the Block B Gallery of Eden Gardens will be renamed in her honor. This stand will be inaugurated during the Indian women's team's first T20I match against England on January 22 next year.

Also Read: 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup stats: Most Wickets and Everything

Stands have also been built at Eden Gardens in the names of former Indian captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, former Indian cricketer Pankaj Roy, and former BCCI presidents Jagmohan Dalmiya and Biswanath Dutt.

Highest wicket-taker in women's ODI

Jhulan Goswami retired two years ago after an illustrious 20-year career with the Indian women's team. She was considered one of the best fast bowlers in women's cricket. Her career is still reflected in the impressive record that she maintains even after her retirement. Goswami holds the record for taking the highest number of wickets (255) in women's ODI.

Jhulan Goswami ended her career after appearing in 12 Tests, 204 ODIs and 68 T20Is and taking 355 wickets across all formats. In the women's Test format, Goswami has taken 44 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.36 and an economy of 2.02.

Goswami has 56 wickets to her name in the women's T20I format, with an average of 21.94 and an economy of 5.45. In the ODI format, she has taken 255 wickets in 204 matches at an average of 22.04.

Also Read: All the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup winners

Working as bowling coach of MI

The 41-year-old Goswami is currently working as the bowling coach and mentor of the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL), which won the inaugural season of the league. Earlier this year, Goswami was the team mentor at the Women's Caribbean Premier League franchise Trinbago Knight Riders. 

After retirement, Goswami has worked as a mentor for the senior Bengal women's team and has also been involved in the Women's Premier League.

Bengal defeated Himachal Pradesh by 21 runs in the second semi-finals of the Senior Women's T20 Trophy 2024 on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Bengal all-rounder Mita Paul was adjudged player of the match for her 1 wicket and 29 runs with the bat.

Batting first, Bengal struggled early, losing Dhara Gujjar on duck in the first over. But, Richa Ghosh, the Indian wicket-keeper batter promoted as the opener, made sure she built a partnership with vice-captain Tanushree Sarkar for the second wicket.

Richa departed after adding 31 from 28 balls but Tanushree battled in the middle to build another partnership for Bengal, this time with Mita Paul. Tanushree, who made her return to the Bengal team after representing Railways last few years, perished after scoring a run-a-ball 36.

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Mita Paul tried to take the inning deep but lost her wicket after scoring 30-ball 29. But, it was youngster Sasthi Mondal, whose 11 from 5 balls gave Bengal the finish they were looking for. Bengal finished their first inning on 134/6, giving Himachal a tough task to chase down the total under the lights at Wankhede. 

With a batting lineup consisting of international players like captain Sushma Verma and Harleen Deol, Himachal looked like the team which can chase down Bengal's total. However, Titas Sadhu struck early for Bengal as she removed Sushma Verma in the fourth over. Off-spinner Sushmita Ganguly then clean bowled Nikita Chauhan, to hand Bengal the momentum. 

Read Also | "Accuracy, planning and mental strength - Shiv Sagar Singh's mantra to make Bengal women's best in the country" | Senior Women's T20 Trophy

Though Himachal were trying to build a partnership and take the game deep, Bengal captain Saika Ishaque dismissed Sonal Thakur and Monika Devi in the same over to give Bengal the advantage. Despite a valiant effort from S M Singh (32 from 22 balls), Himachal fell short of the total by 21 runs. Saika Ishaque and Titas Sadhu took two wickets each for Bengal.

In the other semi-final, Mumbai defeated Uttarakhand by 31 runs to enter the final. Bengal and Mumbai will face each other in the final on 12th November at Wankhede Stadium from 4.30 pm IST.

Matthew Wade, the Australian wicketkeeper batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday. However, he will join the men's team's coaching unit from the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan.

Matthew Wade career

Matthew Wade played 225 matches for Australia, featuring in 36 test matches, 97 one-day internationals, and 92 T20 internationals for Australia. He last played the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies in 2024.

Not only that, he played a crucial role in Australia's T20 World Cup victory in 2021 in Dubai.

Wade' Retirement

The 36-year-old Matthew Wade ended his 13-year long playing career.

"I'm officially retiring," Wade, who retired from first-class cricket last summer, was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. "It's been an ongoing discussion for pretty much every tour or every World Cup that I've been on in the last three or four years.

"It's been a really fluent conversation that I've had with George (Bailey, chief selector) and Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald) over the last six months or since the last World Cup finished. Even leading into the last World Cup, we've been really open and had really great communication around where I'm at with my career.

"If we went into the last World Cup and I managed to get some runs and we won that, then things would look maybe a little different and maybe I'd keep going... it was just kind of an understanding from all of us," Wade added.

36 Test matches. 97 ODIs. 92 T20 Internationals.

Congratulations to Matthew Wade on an outstanding international cricket career! pic.twitter.com/SDWl1OhqZC

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) October 29, 2024

Matthew Wade in coaching

Matthew Wade will kick off his coaching career with the national team from its upcoming outing in the T20 Series against Pakistan. He will travel under the leadership of Andre Borovec.

Later, the team will regroup for the ODI Series, which starts in Melbourne next week.

Wade, however, is not new to coaching. He has been in this role during the winter while coaching the Tasmanian youth and second XI.

Well, Wade will continue playing for his Big Bash League side, the Hobart Hurricanes, for at least the next two summers.

Also, he will continue playing for his domestic team, Tasmania.

Harshit Rana who was selected in India's senior team squad against Australia has early struggles with injuries.

On October 25, BCCI announced the squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which includes Harshit Rana's name. The 22-year-old fast bowler had earned the limelight after a stellar season in the 2024 Indian Premier League for KKR, is now tying his laces for the maiden call test call.

Earlier he toured with the senior team in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. He was a part of the team in the home series against Bangladesh. Not only that, he was on the reserved bench in the test series against New Zealand.

With the call against Australia, it's high time to count days for his debut in the whites anytime soon.

Harshit Rana faced injury before he was 20

Harshit Rana is on the cusp of a promising career as he gears up for India’s five-match Test tour of Australia. Despite a meteoric rise, Rana has faced considerable setbacks due to injuries. By the age of 20, he had already endured multiple stress fractures, sidelining him from the sport for extended periods.

Initially, it was his back, then it was his groin, then his calf and a niggle in the shoulder. His father Pradeep Rana informed that he took Harshit to many hospitals and even to an Ayurveda facility in Najafgarh. 

When playing cricket looked impossible, it was the inspiration Harshit drew from Navdeep Saini who bowled with his injured groin. Moreover, the 2020-21 Australia tour played a huge role in fuelling Harshit Rana's courage.

A bruised team battled to the winning position in the 2020-21 Australia tour. The injured duo Vihari and Ashwin who batted throughout ensuring a draw at Sydney, and Cheteswar Pujara who took 11 blows on his body at Gabba inspired him more than anyone can imagine.

Harshit Rana dedicates his maiden test call to his Father

Harshit Rana's Pradeep Rana, who once represented CRPF in hammer throw has never left his side. The senior Rana would pull him out of sleep at 4 am, to make him watch India playing in Australia on television.

His father made it a morning routine in winter, in Delhi for a six-year-old Harshit Rana. He even threw tantrums because he wanted to continue sleeping.

It was Pradeep Rana who knocked on all possible doors to keep his son fit for the game. He not only visited doctors but read articles, watched videos and tried applying everything to help his son play on the big stage.

In an interview with the Indian Express, Harshit said, "he told me that it was okay even if I don’t become a professional cricketer. Whatever I am today, it is because of my father.”

The Journey of Shedding 17 Kilograms

During the 2023-24 period, he suffered from a hamstring injury. As a result, he missed that entire session of the Ranji Trophy. 

From November 2023 to the pre-IPL period, he worked hard on his fitness shedding 17 kilograms. This significant weight loss not only improved his performance but also helped him remain injury-free for the next seven months, a crucial period leading to his maiden Test call-up.

Harshit credits the Indian team management for monitoring his workload as he focuses on playing across all formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20s.