We would like another chance to play India at the World Cup: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said that his team would not mind facing India at the World Cup if the opportunity arose. Pakistan face Australia in the quarter-final, whose winner would face the winner of the other quarter-final between India and Bangladesh.

Despite Pakistan’s atrocious record – 6 losses in 6 matches – against India in World Cups, Misbah welcomed the possible opportunity for them to get one over the defending champions. India have already beaten Pakistan in the group stage.

“We would like another opportunity against India”

“It will be another chance for us to go there with a positive frame of mind. We would take it like another opportunity for us to break the shackles as we have never won against India in the World Cup,” Misbah said.

“We just have to go in with a positive frame of mind and self-belief and do our best,” Misbah said.

Pakistan have suffered a blow ahead of their quarter-final clash against Australia in the form of an injury to pace bowler Mohammad Irfan, but Misbah said that they have enough to beat the hosts and set up a potential clash with India in the semis.

“Even though we have lost Mohammad Irfan, which is a big blow to us, we can do it. If we can beat South Africa which is one of the finest sides than we can do it against Australia.”

“Playing in Australia for last 3 months has helped India”

Misbah said that India’s performances have not been surprising to him and that the two-time World Cup winners have lived upto the expectations. He said that being in Australia for a long time prior to the World Cup has worked in India’s favour.

“They are the defending champions and they know that that is the biggest motivation for them and they have been playing in Australia for last three months and preparing for this World Cup and that has helped them,” he said.

“Obviously when you are the defending champions you got all the confidence in yourself and they are now quite an experienced team playing the last couple of years with the same squad and their captain Dhoni is also a very experienced campaigner. They have performed up to expectations so far in this World Cup.”

“We want to win the World Cup for the people”

Misbah made it clear that his team had regained self-belief after four wins on the trot.

“I can tell you this team wants to win it for our people. I also want to do it because it is my last one-day tournament.

“This tournament has always been important for us because people have high expectations from us since we won the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before and we want to do it for them.”