Ireland coach Phil Simmons has denied that his side will be under pressure to prove a point to the International Cricket Council in this weekend's two games against Pakistan in Belfast.
The ICC announced in April that associate nations would be excluded from the 2015 World Cup but that is now being reviewed following an outcry.
"I don't want to put that pressure on my team," said Simmons.
Misbah-ul-Haq will captain Pakistan in the games on Saturday and Monday.
Misbah was handed the captaincy last week following the sacking of Shahid Afridi, who has not travelled to Ireland because his father is in hospital undergoing liver treatment.
This weekend's matches are Ireland's only opportunity to push their case forward on the field before the ICC's final decision on the 2015 World Cup in June.
However, Simmons has refused to paint the games as crucial to their hopes of winning over the ICC.
Phil SimmonsIreland coachWe've crossed a stage since last year where we go into games now planning to win, not planning to survive
"I don't see these matches as a case of proving the ICC wrong, I think the cricket world knows that it is the wrong decision," said Simmons.
"We will go out there and prove things to ourselves that we can beat these top teams.
"The more we beat them the closer we will get to what we want to achieve which is getting higher in the world rankings."
Kevin O'Brien's thumping century helped Ireland clinch a sensational victory over England at this year's World Cup and Simmons believes such displays have also earned the respect of the full-member nations.
"The big teams think about us a bit more now," added the former West Indies all-rounder.
"I don't think they come and just play us without discussing us.
"We've crossed a stage since last year where we go into games now planning to win, not planning to survive.
"We've got to that stage now where we know we can win games against these guys."
Waqar YounisPakistan coachThey are capable of beating any side in the world so we've got to be very careful
Simmons is confident his side can back up those words and claim at least one win at Stormont over the Bank Holiday weekend
The World Cup semi-finalists arrived in Belfast on Thursday, straight from their tour of the Caribbean, and Simmons believes the sudden change in temperature and conditions will work to his side's advantage.
"If it's as cold as this then there is always that little bit of an advantage."
Pakistan's 15-man squad includes Umar Gul and Younis Khan, who were both rested for the five one-dayers in the Caribbean.
Ireland shocked Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup and coach Waqar Younis has insisted that his side will not make the mistake of underestimating the hosts.
"I've got a lot of respect for Ireland," said the Pakistan coach.
"They are capable of beating any side in the world so we've got to be very careful."
Ireland are without the injured pair Niall O'Brien and George Dockrell.
