The qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, scheduled to be played until December 5, would have decided the final three spots for next year’s Women’s World Cup in New Zealand; instead Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will progress based on their rankings
By Reuters
Last Updated: 27/11/21 11:35am
West Indies (pictured), Bangladesh and Pakistan have qualified for next year’s Women’s Cricket World Cup after the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe was abandoned
The Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe has been abandoned after the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant in South Africa prompted travel restrictions.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) took the decision after Saturday’s game between the West Indies and Sri Lanka was called off after a member of the Sri Lankan support staff tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are incredibly disappointed to have to cancel the remainder of this event,” the ICC’s head of events Chris Tetley said.
“But with travel restrictions from a number of African countries being imposed at such short notice, there was a serious risk that teams would be unable to return home.”
The ICC have confirmed that Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will progress to the World Cup in New Zealand by virtue of their rankings.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and Ireland have secured the remaining two spots in the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Tetley added: “We have explored a number of options to allow us to complete the event but it isn’t feasible and we will fly the teams out of Zimbabwe as soon as possible.
“Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 by virtue of their rankings, whilst Sri Lanka and Ireland will also join them in the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship.”
