ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier gets abandoned due to rising COVID threat

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called off the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Zimbabwe, amid uncertainty due to a new strain of COVID-19 named as 'Omricon'. The decision comes after several nations imposed flight bans to African countries, including Zimbabwe where the tournament was being hosted. 

The decision was taken late by the International Cricket Council four hours after Sri Lanka vs West Indies game was canned without giving a reason.

The tournament would have decided the final three spots for the ICC Women's World Cup in New Zealand next year and also the two remaining places in the next cycle of the ICC Women's Championship. 

But the cancellation of the tournament would mean that Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now progress to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. 

"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.

“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," he added.

Earlier, the clash between West Indies and Sri Lanka was also abandoned without a ball being bowled after a support staff member of the Lankan team had tested positive for Covid-19.