The move comes following a recommendation from Ann Browne-John, the former West Indies women coach, who suggested that the women needed to compete regularly.

The Bermuda coach, Allan Douglas, told The Bermuda Sun: "This is just what we have been looking for. Cricket for women is very new to Bermuda and so this will give us the opportunity to show the public that we are serious and play serious cricket." Douglas co-ordinates two practice sessions a week, as well as one gym visit.

One of the rising stars of Bermuda is 15-year-old Reuna Richardson. A spirited allrounder, she had this warning for the boys: "They'd better watch out because I think we can show them up. I think they will be surprised."

But she knows that qualification in Pakistan will not come easily. "I think about it a lot. I'm a bit nervous. I think it's going to be hard. We are going to have to do a lot of work between now and then to get better."