The ICC on Saturday called off an ongoing qualifier for next year's Women's ODI World Cup in Harare following the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant in the African region, paving the way for Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh to make the cut on the basis of rankings.
The ICC said the decision to stop the event was based on its concerns about how the participating teams would head back in the wake of Omicron variant's rise.
Travel restrictions have been introduced from a number of African countries after detection of the new variant in South Africa stoked fears around the world.
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It has also cast a shadow of doubt over the Indian men's team tour of South Africa that begins next month.