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Bermuda's women are in a holding pattern after their cricket World Cup qualifiers in Pakistan have been postponed because of violence in Pakistan.

The qualifiers were scheduled to take polace between November 19 to 25.

The ICC made the decision yesterday saying 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.

"It is extremely regrettable this decision has had to be taken," Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, said in a press release. "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."[[In-content Ad]]

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