Bermuda women's national team's World Cup qualifying campaign has been thrown into jeopardy with host nation Pakistan in a state of political turmoil.

The turbulent situation is under constant review by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bermuda Police Service - with the squad due to depart for Lahore on Saturday.

Last weekend Pakistan president President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule and suspended the country's constitution, although the PCB maintains cricket will carry on as per schedule.

A Bermuda Cricket Board spokesman said the squad's safety was of paramount importance.

"In light of the recent political unrest in Pakistan and the upcoming women's World Cup qualifiers the BCB would like to state that the safety of the squad members are of paramount importance," the BCB release said. "The matter is under constant detailed review by the ICC and its security advisors, Pakistan Cricket Board and Bermuda Police Service."

Meanwhile, coach Allan Douglas has not burdened Bermuda's inexperienced team with any expectations ahead of their crunch qualifiers, due to start next week, other than to "make the Island proud".

Douglas is under no illusions of the stern test lying before his team in Lahore, starkly aware qualifying for the 2009 Cricket World Cup in Australia remains a long shot with Bermuda facing powerhouse South Africa, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea in Pool B.

Despite the team only being active for the past 18 months, Douglas has challenged them to be competitive and use the qualifers as a "springboard" in their development.

"Only one team progresses from each group so it's going to be tough and very difficult for us," said Douglas, whose team finished second at the ICC Women's Americas tournament in Canada in August.

"The other nations are more experienced than us, but we're looking at performing at the highest level we possibly can and to do Bermuda proud. We're representing the Americas region and we hope these qualifiers can act as a springboard for women's cricket on the Island. The Bermuda public should not expect any miracles and if we can snatch a win we will be delighted."

The squad has spent the last few months training three times per week with many players also turning out for teams in the domestic football league. Douglas concedes their insistence to continue to play football and risk injury has left him chewing his fingernails at times.

"Preparations have been going pretty good," said Douglas. "In particular we've been concentrating on our bowling because we bowled far too many wides in Canada. We've also been looking at occupying more time at the crease when batting.

"The players have shown a lot of commitment. Many of them play domestic football and I would have liked to see them put that on hold, but the onus was on them. Thankfully there hasn't been any injuries and hopefully it will stay that way."

The qualifiers consist of two groups of four teams, the top team from each pool plays the runners-up in the semi-finals and whoever wins that match will be guaranteed a place in the World Cup.

Bermuda are scheduled to play South Africa on November 19, the Netherlands on November 20 and Papua New Guinea on November 22.

Bermuda women's national team: Linda Mienzer (captain), Mary-Ellen Jackson, Terry-Lynn Paynter, Stacy Babb, Brittany Marshall, Rhoda Jones, Reuna Richardson, Wendy Woodley, Chevonne Furbert, Rickelle Smith, Arkeita Smith, Suzette Albouy, Sinshae Paynter, Jodi Simmons. Standby players: Charlene Thompson, Carol Edness, Nicole Jones, Shuntae Todd.