Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis says there should be a place for the top two Associates in the World Cup finals. Ahead of today's first one-day international against Ireland at Stormont, he world-wide opinion and called for a qualifying tournament.
"There were too many teams at the last World Cup, but it is all about consistency and Ireland competed well and since (their first World Cup in) 2007 have gone from strength to strength," said Waqar. "So may be two teams (from a qualifying tournament) should be given a chance."
Pakistan will play their strongest available side in today's ODI although captain Misbah-ul-Haq admitted he is worried by the conditions. He said: "We have just flown in from 35 degrees in the West Indies and that could be a problem."