David Hemp's return to Pakistan from the UK, where he was on holiday, has been delayed after he tested positive for Covid-19. Hemp, the head coach of the women's team, was to take charge of the training camp in Karachi as part of their World Cup preparation.
He is expected to rejoin the camp next week, subject to him testing negative. In his absence, current spin bowling coach Arshad Khan will take charge of the group.
The camp will have 36 women cricketers who will feature in a tri-series of seven matches at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi from January 10-19.
The pool of probables will be split into two squads, and a third will consist of a local boys' team. The camp will allow the selectors to have a look at the players before they trim down the larger squad to a 17-member group that will be announced on January 25.
Pakistan secured a direct entry on the basis of their rankings after the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe was called off due to a spike in Covid cases.
The World Cup in New Zealand is set to run from March 4 to April 3. Pakistan will play India in their opening game on March 6. This will be the first big women's global event since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.