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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Misbah says Pakistan won't mind facing India again at World Cup

Misbah says Pakistan won't mind facing India again at World Cup

Source: PTI
March 18, 2015 15:56 IST
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Pakistan players in a huddle

Pakistan players in a huddle during the 2015 World Cup match against India. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Misbah-ul Haq says Pakistan wouldn't mind facing India in the semi-finals if it progresses beyond the quarters in the ongoing ICC World Cup.

Speaking to Press Trust of India from Adelaide, Pakistan's captain said it will be another opportunity for his side, which lost to India in their opening match at the ongoing mega-event in Adelaide, to try and break the jinx of not winning a match against their arch-rival in the World Cup.

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"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.

"We just have to go in with a positive frame of mind and self-belief and do our best."

The 40-year-old, who is leading Pakistan since late 2010 after the infamous spot-fixing scandal in England, said he is confident his team can beat Australia in Friday’s quarter-final.

"Even though we have lost Muhammad 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.

On the Indian team, he said it performed up to expectations.

"They are the 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."

"Obviously, when you are the defending champions you have 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."

Misbah made it clear that his team had regained self-belief after four victories 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."

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