18 December,2015 08:32 AM IST | | PTI
Pakistan's T20 captain Shahid Afridi is prepared for a tough World T20 campaign in India after the ICC announced the draws of the biennial event in March-April
Shahid Afridi
Karachi: Pakistan's T20 captain Shahid Afridi is prepared for a tough World T20 campaign in India after the ICC announced the draws of the biennial event in March-April.
Shahid Afridi
"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.
"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," he said. The flamboyant all-rounder who has said he plans to retire after the World T20 in India said the match against the hosts would be a big one.
"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," he said.
Pakistan who won the World T20 in 2009 in England are placed in Group 2 of the Super Ten round in the sixth edition of the World T20 to be held from March 9-April 3 2016, along with hosts India, Australia, New Zealand, and a yet to be decided qualifier.
Pakistan also lost to India in the final of the inaugural World T20 in South Africa. Pakistan was also beaten by India in the World Cup earlier this year and have lost to them six times in the 50-over event since 1992. Afridi said he was not someone who lived in the past.
"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."
Asked was he hopeful Pakistan would be playing India in a bilateral series soon and whether Pakistan would go to India for the World T20, Afridi said these were areas concerning the cricket board not 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."
