India qualify for Women's World Cup, with points from cancelled Pakistan series to be shared

It has also been decided that the points will be shared in the series between South Africa and Australia, as well as Sri Lanka and New Zealand – both of which were cancelled in light of the Covid-19 pandemic

India have qualified automatically for next year’s Women’s World Cup in New Zealand after the ICC declared that the points on offer from a cancelled series against Pakistan would be shared.

The series, which formed part of the ICC Women’s Championship, was unable to be played “after the BCCI demonstrated that it was unable to obtain the necessary government clearances” to take part in a bilateral series against Pakistan.

The game’s global governing body has declared the circumstance a force majeure, concluding that the six points available should be split between the two teams.

As a result, India have clinched their position among the top four guaranteed qualifying positions with 23 points, four ahead of Pakistan, who will now have to compete in the Women’s World Cup Qualifier, which is scheduled to be played between July 3 and July 19 in Sri Lanka, a date that remains subject to review, given the global coronavirus outbreak.

India had been due to host the series but, according to a statement from the ICC, “despite the best efforts of both the boards, it was unable to take place”. When a similar situation had arisen in 2016, Pakistan were awarded the points.

In November 2019, Sami ul Hasan, media and communications director of the Pakistan Cricket Board, had told the New Indian Express: “The PCB has informed ICC that the BCCI, despite repeated e-mails and reminders, has not responded and, as such, the series window is now closed. The PCB has also asked the ICC to review the matter and let the participating sides know of their decision.”

It has also been decided that the points will be shared in the series between South Africa and Australia, as well as Sri Lanka and New Zealand – both of which were cancelled in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will both join West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, the United States and the Netherlands in July’s qualifying competition, with three World Cup places available.

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