Women's qualifiers switched to South Africa

The Women's World Cup qualifiers have been switched to South Africa in mid-February following political turmoil in Pakistan in November which forced the ICC to postpone that event. The tournament had to be rescheduled within six months and following some quick work by the ICC and the South African board, it has been rearranged within just three months.

The new dates are 18 to 24 February for the tournament which will be held in the Stellenbosch region. An ICC statement said: "The decision was arrived at following independent security reports and extensive discussions by ICC management and the ICC Women's Committee."

Pakistan couldn't host it because of the general elections which start on 18 February. The proposed election date had been 8 January, but following the rescheduling, the decision was made to move the event to South Africa.

Zakir Khan, PCB's director cricket operations, confirmed to Cricinfo: "It was clashing with election dates and the ICC couldn't organise it much later. We tried to find a way but the schedule clash meant we couldn't go ahead with it."

Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, regretted that the tournament couldn't be in Pakistan. "It is unfortunate that the timing of the event ended up clashing with the elections and forcing us to change the venue," he said.

"I would like to thank all those from the PCB who so enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to host this event. 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. Thanks are also due to Cricket South Africa and particularly those from Boland who have been able to take over the running of this tournament at short notice.

"The safety of all participants is our number-one 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 was not appropriate to stage the tournament at this time."

So now South Africa have the home advantage. They were disappointed to have just missed out on the previous World Cup, when a tight finish in their last match handed the fifth automatic spot to the West Indies. They are one of the favourites to qualify in this tournament, where the top two sides go through to the eight who will contest the World Cup in Australia next year.

Ireland and Zimbabwe were particularly disappointed that the Pakistan event was, rightly, called off as they were coming into some decent form. Ireland's players will now have to come in from the off-season and hope to get used to conditions immediately.

The players, all of whom are amateurs, will of course have to arrange time off work and study to attend this event. Ireland are already down one player. Jillian Smythe has had to withdraw due to a clash with her final year examinations - she will remain in the senior squad but will not travel. Instead, Melissa Scott-Hayward will now travel in her place with Carol McGuire being named as the non-travelling reserve.

An Ireland spokesperson told Cricinfo of their tentative plans which are still to be finalised with less than a month to go. "We're all set. We intend to travel out on Saturday 9 February and spend a week in camp in Stellenbosch or Port Elizabeth - all to be decided - and rejoin the formal ICC event on 16 February."

Pakistan have already announced a 20-player list of probables for a month-long training event which will start next week. The camp will run from 13 January to 11 February at Lahore Country Club, Muridke.

Training squad Bismah Maroof, Taskeen Qadeer, Sana Javed, Almas Akram, Sabeen Abdul Samad, Saima Jamil, Sana Mir, Urooj Mumtaz Khan, Nain Abidi, Batool Fatimam Arman Khan, Javeria Khan, Sajida Shah, Sumaiya Siddiqui, Asmavia Iqbal, Naila Nazir, Qanita Jalil, Nida Dar, Sadia Yousaf.