The Papua New Guinea team had been quarantining in Port Moresby ahead of travelling to Zimbabwe for the tournament, but a number of players tested positive for the virus.

Cricket PNG did not say how many players had coronavirus, but withdrew as selectors "do not have enough players for the tour".

"Multiple PCR tests have been done on nearly a daily basis to try to give players the opportunity to test negative," said Cricket PNG.

"We have also over the weekend worked with the ICC on later flight options to give the team more time to still be able to tour. 

"Unfortunately, all the extra efforts to get the team to travel have been unsuccessful."

All team members are vaccinated, Cricket PNG clarified.

The qualifier and warm-up matches would have represented the Papua New Guinea women's team's first completive action since September 2019.

Papua New Guinea's withdrawal leaves nine teams to battle for three World Cup berths at the qualifier.

Hosts Zimbabwe will be joined by the West Indies, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh the United States, Ireland and the Dutch.

Group A now has just four teams - Ireland, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and The Netherlands.

New Zealand is due to hold the 50-over Women's Cricket World Cup in March and April 2022.