Karachi: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq says his team wouldn’t mind facing India in the semi-finals if they progress beyond the quarter finals of the ICC World Cup.
Speaking from Adelaide, Misbah said it will be another opportunity for his side to try and break the jinx of not winning a match against arch-rivals India in a World Cup.
“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.
India beat Pakistan at Adelaide in their opening match of the ongoing mega-event.
“We just have to go in with a positive frame of mind and self-belief and do our best,” Misbah said.
The 40-year-old, who has been captain of Pakistan since late 2010 after the infamous spot-fixing scandal in England, made it clear he was confident his team could beat Australia in the quarter-finals on Friday.
“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, then we can do it against Australia,” he said.
Misbah said regardless of Australia’s form, it is all about performing on the day.
Speaking about the Indian team, Misbah said they had performed up to expectations. “They are defending champions and they know that and it is the biggest motivation for them. They have been playing in Australia for the last three months and preparing for this World Cup and that has helped them,” he said.
Misbah made it clear 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.”
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, meanwhile, said that the option of flying out off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to Australia for the cricket World Cup was on the table if Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
Khan said that Ajmal could replace injured pacer Irfan. “We are sending no replacement for Irfan for the quarter finals because we don’t have time. By the time the replacement reaches Adelaide, it will be too late for him to take part in the quarter final,” Khan said.
“But yes if we reach the semi-finals, then a replacement will be sent and it could be Saeed Ajmal,” he added.
