September 17, 2006	Sunday	Sha'aban 23, 1427

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LAHORE, Sept 16: Captains of both Hong Kong and Pakistan women cricket teams are optimistic about winning the three-match series for the 2007 World Cup qualifiers, starting from the first at Qadhafi Stadium on Sunday.

Neisha Pratt, skipper of the visiting side, said that her team was here to win for which it had all the required potential.

“We are best in batting and bowling departments and we will try our best to go back with a win,” Pratt said while talking to reporters at the PCB Academy ground on Saturday.

She remarked that the weather in Lahore would not be bothering her teammates as they were very well prepared for such kind of conditions.

Pratt said that there was no injury to any player and all were mentally and physically fit to deliver.

Pakistan skipper Urooj Mumtaz Khan also expressed similar views saying her team was well balanced in both batting and bowling departments.

“We have six talented bowlers and as many batsmen from which we have to select the team, therefore, I am fully confident of the victory to qualify for the main round,” she said.

She claimed that the home team was physically better and it would also have the home ground advantage.

Hong Kong women’s team arrived on Friday night to play the three-match qualifying series. The first match is scheduled for Qadhafi Stadium on Sunday, the second at Bagh-i-Jinnah on Tuesday, and the last one at Qadhafi Stadium on Thursday.

AFP adds: The winners will earn a berth in the qualifying tournament in Ireland in 2007.

Eight teams will compete in the 2007 qualifying round, out of them two top teams will go on to the Women's World Cup to be held in India two years later.

“We are here to get a place in qualifying round for the World Cup and earn a lot of experience,” the New Zealand-born Neisha said.

The current series is played under the auspices of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

This is the first ever international cricket competition undertaken by the Hong Kong team, which comprised half of expat players from India and Sri Lanka and half of locals.

Cricket is a fast-improving game in Hong Kong, whose men's team has taken long strides following success in the recent ACC Trophy in Malaysia, earning a place in the Asia Cup to be hosted in Pakistan in two years time.

“Despite having less facilities, the girls have put in a great deal of hard work over the summer,” said Pratt, a former Northern Districts state player.

“The opportunity to qualify for a World Cup doesn't come around every day and we'll be giving it our best shot,” she said.

The Hong Kong squad also includes Natasha Miles who caused a stir last season when she finished the season by taking 15 wickets playing in the men's Saturday League.

The Hong Kong team were lucky to get training facilities at Kowloon Cricket Club and have a healthy sponsorship from a cosmetics company.

Pakistan last qualified for the 1997 World Cup held in India but have since failed to clear the qualifying hurdle.

Australia are the current women's champions, winning the ninth World Cup held in South Africa last year. The women's World Cup was initiated in England in 1973.

Hong Kong squad: Neisha Pratt (captain), Renee Montgomery (vice captain), Chan Sau Ha, Betty Chan, Sarah Eames, Natasha Miles, Keenu Gill, Sam McIlwraith, Julie Atkinson, Godiva Li, Ishitaa Gidwani, Angela Kwan, Shaminda Wickramasinghe, Kylie Knott. Nasir Hameed (coach) and Mark Burns (manager).