Pakistan women to host Hong Kong

Pakistan will host the Hong Kong Women's national team for a series of three ODIs in order to determine which team will progress to the Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament later this year.

Teams playing at the Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament will be competing for a place at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup to be held in Australia in 2009.

Chairman of Hong Kong Cricket Association, Clive Howard, said, "Women's cricket in Hong Kong has come a long way in a short space of time since we introduced the first league competition just two years ago.

"We've been lobbying hard for this chance and we're grateful that the Asian Cricket Council has recognised the development of women's cricket here in Hong Kong by giving our representative team an opportunity to reach the Women's World Cup in 2009," continued Mr Howard.

"It's an awesome opportunity," said Hong Kong women's cricket captain, Neisha Pratt. "Of course it will be tough work playing Pakistan in Pakistan for our new team.

"But we've got a good crop of players, we're training hard and will give it our best shot," Ms Pratt commented.

Hong Kong recently named it's first representative squad of eighteen women's cricketers and appointed current Hong Kong international player, Nasir Hameed, as National Women's Cricket Coach.

Chairman of the HKCA Women's Cricket Selectors, Mark Burns, commented, "We're awaiting confirmation of the dates and venues for the matches from the Asian Cricket Council which we expect to receive shortly.

"The series is likely to be played quite soon however, so the regular training program for the squad will be stepping up a few gears now," commented Mr Burns.