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The ICC has announced that the Women's World Cup Qualifiers, which were
scheduled to take place in Pakistan between November 19 and 25, have been
postponed.
The decision was arrived at after ICC management and the ICC women's committee
assessed independent security reports following the weekend's imposition of a
state of emergency in Pakistan.
A decision on where and when the tournament will be played will be taken in due
course but Mag4you.com understands that the tournament will need to be
rescheduled within a six-month period and is likely to take place in the
southern hemisphere.
"It is extremely regrettable this decision has had to be taken," Malcolm Speed,
the ICC's chief executive, said. "We remain committed to international cricket
being played in Pakistan but, sadly, events beyond the control of the ICC and
the PCB have conspired against us on this occasion.
"As recently as 25 October, the ICC women's committee reaffirmed its commitment
to staging the event, as scheduled, in Lahore. However, the heightened state of
tension within the country over the past few days represents a change in
circumstances that we have a duty to consider.
"Safety and security of all participants is a priority and on the basis of the
independent advice we have received - as well as the material concerns expressed
by many of the participating countries - we concluded it is not appropriate to
stage the tournament at this time."
But the decision appeared to irritate Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan board chairman,
who made it clear he felt the decision was premature. "We have advised the ICC
we feel the event could have been staged as scheduled in two weeks' time in a
safe and secure environment," he said. "We remain more than capable of and
committed to hosting international cricket and we look forward to welcoming
teams to Pakistan in the future."
The tournament was to have involved eight teams - Bermuda, Ireland, Netherlands,
Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe - with the top
two sides going forward to the Women's World Cup in Australia in 2009.
A statement from the Bermuda board said: "The safety of the squad members are of
paramount importance." The various recommendations of the stakeholders and
security experts will be considered at the executive meeting on Tuesday night.
A spokesperson for Ireland Mag4you.com that it was "definitely the right
decision for all concerned". |
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