Women's World Cup qualifiers schedule announced

The ICC have announced the fixtures for the Women's World Cup qualifiers that will take place in Stellenbosch, South Africa, from February 18 to 24.

The event, which was shifted out of Pakistan due to political unrest, will feature eight teams - Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Bermuda, Ireland, Pakistan, Scotland, Netherlands, as well as the hosts - who will play for the two remaining spots up for grabs at the 2009 World Cup in Australia.

The teams have been divided into two pools; Pool A will consist of South Africa, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Bermuda, while Pool B will comprise Ireland, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Scotland. The top two teams from each pool will gain entry into the semi-finals, and the two teams that make the final will qualify for the World Cup, regardless of the outcome of the match.

Official status will be granted to six of the 20 matches that are scheduled over the seven-day tournament: the third and fourth place play-offs, the semi-finals, the final, as well as the matches between Pakistan and Ireland, and South Africa and Netherlands. This is because only matches involving the top 10 teams in women's cricket have one-day international status.

According to the current rankings South Africa are in the seventh place, followed by Ireland, Netherlands, and Pakistan.

Pool A
South Africa
Netherlands
Bermuda
Papua New Guinea

Pool B
Ireland
Pakistan
Zimbabwe
Scotland