Pakistan to host eight-team ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier

The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier (WWCQ) will be played in Lahore, Pakistan, between 18 and 24 November, it was confirmed today.

Besides the host nation, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Bermuda, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland and the Netherlands will all vie for two available slots in the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup.

Defending champions and hosts Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies have all earned automatic qualification for the 2009 event following their top-six finish in 2005 when it was held in Pretoria, South Africa.

Zimbabwe, in its debut appearance, qualified for the WWCQ from Africa, Papua New Guinea from East Asia-Pacific, Bermuda from the Americas, Scotland and the Netherlands from Europe and Pakistan from Asia.

South Africa and Ireland were not required to pre-qualify for the tournament in Lahore after finishing seventh and eighth respectively in the 2005 Women’s World Cup.

Pakistan and South Africa started their preparations for the WWCQ in a five-match one-day series that was played in Pretoria. South Africa won the series 4-0 with storm washing out the last game.

The top teams will launch their preparations for the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup when Australia, India, England and New Zealand compete in a quadrangular series in Chennai, India, between February 21 and March 5.

Chairperson of ICC Women’s Committee Betty Timmer said she was delighted with the interest shown by Pakistan in hosting the WWCQ.