Shahid Afridi pumped up for the World T20 clash against India

The Pakistan T20 skipper is roaring to have a go against the arch-rivals in the World T20, next year.

Pakistan T20 captain, Shahid Afridi is up and ready for a tough competition in India, come the World T20 next year. The much-awaited game against the hosts at Dharamshala on March 19 is also on his radar and he believes that the match against the arch-rivals would be a big one.

"It is a tough draw for us and we are looking forward to the second match against India in Dharamasala," he told the media on Thursday. "We have little time left to prepare for the World T20 and we need to finalise our combination when we tour New Zealand next month," he said.

Pakistan would be travelling to New Zealand for a short three match ODI series before launching their World T20 campaign at the Eden Gardens on March 16 against a qualifier yet to be decided.

"I say it is a tough draw for us because in T20 cricket they are no second chances. We have been making too many mistakes in recent matches and we need to leave that behind us now," the all-rounder said, who has already mentioned that he has plans to retire from international cricket after the mega tournament.

Hope our World Cup record against India motivates us: Afridi

Afridi had retired from Test cricket in 2010, and gave up one-day cricket at the conclusion of Pakistan’s campaign in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

He acknowledged the fact that Pakistan have never beaten India in a World Cup game or a World T20 game, but believed that his team isn’t the one that lives in the past.

"Everyone is excited about this match and I know we have never beaten them in a World Cup or World T20 match. So it is a big challenge for us and I hope it also motivates the team to do well and try to win the title once again.”

Pakistan, the champions of the World T20 2009, held in England, have been placed in Group 2 of the Super-ten round of the tournament along with India, Australia and New Zealand, and a yet to be decided qualifier.

Pakistan have lost to India in their previous four World T20 encounters, losing to them twice in the inaugural edition in 2007, and again in 2012 and 2014. "Results can be changed by playing well at any time so what has happened in the past is history. I can tell you we are already pumped up for the India match."

On the question of a possible Indo-Pak bilateral series, Afridi said that it was a matter to be decided by the respective cricket boards, and not the players. "What the PCB decides we will follow but as cricketers we know a Indo-Pak clash is followed all around the world and that pumps up the competition level for everyone."

The sixth edition of the World T20 would be held in India from March 9 to April 3, 2016, across seven venues, with the semi-finals to be played in Delhi and Mumbai, and the final to be organised at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata.