Pakistan knows its responsibility to assist developing nations: Waqar Younis

ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): Pakistan coach Waqar Younis on
Monday said friendly games against Nepal and Hong Kong are important as
Pakistan understands its responsibility to assist developing nations and we are excited by the opportunity to do so in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this month.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced an
exciting month of multi-format fixtures across the UAE this November as
part of the ICC’s ongoing commitment to developing international cricket at
all levels, says a press release issued here.
Supported by the ICC’s Development department, the teams will
compete in a range of different formats, including T20, 50-over, two, three
and four-day matches, as teams bid to progress in the ICC Intercontinental
Cup (I-Cup) and the World Cricket League Championship (WCLC).
Some countries will also be preparing for the ICC World Twenty20
India 2016, while others will play some “friendly matches” against Pakistan
and England who will be stepping up their preparations in the shorter
formats of the game following the completion of the three-Test series at
Sharjah.
Looking ahead to the series of matches, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis,
whose side will face Nepal in a 50-over clash in Abu Dhabi on November 8
and Hong Kong in a 20-over tie at the ICC Academy on November 23,
believes these are an important couple of games.
“It is clear to see the great strides that are being made among the
emerging teams in world cricket,” the Pakistan coach said.
“We are excited to face Nepal and Hong Kong as they are relatively
new opponents, but we know that they have a lot of quality individually and
collectively. Both games will also present us with opportunities to adapt to the shorter formats of the game coming off the back of a challenging Test series against England.”
“We are also mindful that the Hong Kong game especially will provide
great opportunities to our players with the ICC World Twenty20 2016 now
just a few short months away.”
“Pakistan understands and embraces its responsibility to assist
developing nations and we are excited by the opportunity to do so in the UAE
this month,” he said.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said the matches to be played
involving our top Associate Members are part of ICC’s commitment to
developing more competitive teams at the highest level. “The Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League Championship are the pathways for Associate Members to Test cricket and the ICC Cricket World Cup respectively,” Richardson said.
He said in addition the T20 matches will provide important
preparation for the teams who have qualified for the ICC World Twenty20
India 2016. “With Pakistan and England competing in a keenly-contested
series, we are delighted that Pakistan will face Nepal and Hong Kong, while
Hong Kong and UAE will play against England, in some warm-up games,”
he said.