The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called off the event in response to worries about a new strain of COVID-19 which has been detected in southern Africa.

It is feared that the variant may be more transmissible and even be resistant to existing vaccines, leading to a number of nations imposing travel bans on the impacted countries, including Zimbabwe.

The nine-team tournament was due to determine the final three qualifiers for next year's Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

As it has been cancelled the three top-ranked sides - Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies - will advance to the 50-over event.

Two of today's three games had begun before the tournament was called off, but the Windies' clash with Sri Lanka never began as a member of Sri Lanka's support staff had tested positive for COVID-19.

"We are incredibly disappointed to have to cancel the remainder of this event but with travel restrictions from a number of African countries being imposed at such short notice, there was a serious risk that teams would be unable to return home," said Chris Tetley, the ICC's head of events.

"We have explored a number of options to allow us to complete the event but it isn’t feasible and we will fly the teams out of Zimbabwe as soon as possible. 

"Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 by virtue of their rankings, whilst Sri Lanka and Ireland will also join them in the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship."

A coronavirus outbreak had already prevented Papua New Guinea from being able to fly to the qualifier.