ICC CWC Qualifier cancelled amid COVID-related uncertainty

The emergence of a new variant of Covid-19 has led to the cancellation of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.  

With many African nations, including hosts Zimbabwe, deciding to seal their international borders, the ICC called off the tournament. Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies, the three highest-ranked sides in the tournament, have now directly qualified for the ICC Women's World Cup 2021. They will join New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa and India.

Papua New Guinea had earlier pulled out from the tournament after several of their squad members tested positive for Covid-19. 

'We are incredibly disappointed to have to cancel the remainder of this event 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,' said Chris Tetley, the ICC Head of Events.