Pakistan have withdrawn their team from the Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in the Netherlands later this month because of visa problems.
They were among six teams scheduled to take part in the International Women’s Cricket Council Trophy with the top two earning qualifying places for the 2005 Women’s World Cup in South Africa.
It is the latest twist in a saga which saw the Pakistan Cricket Board go to court last year and win a ruling which confirmed it as the only “competent authority” to run the women’s game.
The PCB is not as yet, however, recognised as such by the IWCC and the Pakistan Women’s Cricket Control Association (PWCCA) is still hoping to overturn the court’s decision.
In a letter to the tournament organisers, the PCB stated: “Please ensure if the authorized Pakistan Women Cricket Team (PCB) does not participate then no other team should be allowed to use the name of Pakistan and its emblem.”
Board spokesman Samiul Hasan confirmed that a training camp for the team in Lahore had now been halted.
The IWCC Trophy takes place from 21-28 July and Pakistan were due to face Japan in their opening match.
Hosts Holland, Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies are the other countries taking part.