'The emerging nations deserve more exposure' - Inzamam

Inzamam-ul-Haq: 'I think we should provide maximum opportunity to the younger teams' © Getty Images

Inzamam-ul-Haq has suggested that the emerging nations should get more international exposure in order to reduce the gap with the top teams, and also expressed disappointment with the new format of the 2006 Champions Trophy to be held in India.

"I think the emerging nations deserve more exposure so that they can narrow the gap between the top teams," Inzamam told Press Trust of India. "But I fear that with the format of the 2006 Champions Trophy, that gap will be widened."

The ICC had announced earlier that next years's Champions Trophy would comprise the top eight teams. While the top six teams as on April 1, 2006, will get direct entry, the remaining four Test playing nations will participate in a pre-tournament qualifier and the top two sides will complete the fray.

"The 2007 World Cup will include 16 teams. I think we should provide maximum opportunity [before the event in the West Indies] to the younger teams so that they can have a feel of international and top-grade cricket," Inzamam explained. "I think by restricting the Champions Trophy to eight teams, we are probably denying among others Bangladesh and Zimbabwe the right to prepare themselves for the World Cup."