The inaugural edition of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Championship will kick off in August where top eight sides in the game would face each other in a multi-year, bilateral qualifying competition that would lead into the ICC Women's World Cup.
The ICC Women's Championship would witness the eight sides play each other in three ODIs, either at home or away, between 2014 and 2016.
Points would be awarded for each game and the top four sides at the conclusion of the championship would gain automatic qualification to the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, which would be hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The bottom four sides would have a second chance to qualify for the mega event through the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2017. The bottom four, joined by six regional qualifiers, would face off for the final four positions at the ICC Women's World Cup 2017.
Reigning world champions Australia would begin their title defence against Pakistan on home soil, while three-time ICC Women's World Cup champion England would host India, Sri Lanka would host South Africa and the West Indies would host New Zealand in the first round.
The dates and venues for the first round fixtures would be announced shortly.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said that the ICC Women's Championship provides another fantastic opportunity for women's cricket, adding that the tournament guarantees both regular playing opportunities and a meritocratic pathway to the ICC Women's World Cup.
Chair of the ICC Women's Committee Clare Connor said that the ICC Women's Championship is an exciting new initiative that represents a significant step in the continued development of women's cricket.