A long wait for Bangladesh ended earlier than anticipated as the Tigresses earned entry to the 12th edition of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, to be held next year in New Zealand in March and April.

Nigar Sultana and her troops were already well on way to a maiden appearance in the World Cup after impressive wins against Pakistan and USA in the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had no choice but to intervene and cancel the tournament after a member of the Sri Lankan support staff tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday amid the discovery of a new coronavirus variant in South Africa.

According to an ICC statement issued yesterday, all teams who were ranked 8th or above until September 30 will qualify directly for the upcoming World Cup.

That means alongside Bangladesh, who were ranked 8th at the time, Pakistan and the West Indies join Australia, India, England and South Africa and hosts New Zealand.