Afridi upbeat ahead of India clash

FE Team | Published: March 30, 2011 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

MOHALI, Mar 29 (AFP): Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said he'd no problems with all the extra responsibility in the World Cup semi-final clash against India on Wednesday. Encounters between the Asian rivals represent cricket's most passionate contests. This one has been especially hyped after India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used it as a springboard for diplomatic talks by inviting Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to the match. Relations between the nuclear powers have been even more tense than normal since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people, with Delhi blaming Pakistan-based Islamic extremists for the incident. Political pressure upon the Pakistan team was increased yet further when Interior Minister Rehman Malik warned the side not to 'fix' the match. This is a particularly sensitive point for the Pakistan side, who saw fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, as well as former Test captain Salman Butt, banned ahead of this World Cup for their roles in last year's 'spot-fixing' betting scandal in England. Afridi, who said he'd spoken to both Malik and Gilani heading into this match, said on Tuesday: "I think I am the cricketer first and then the diplomat. I am an ambassador for Pakistan, so I should know what to say. "I think it's a great sign for both countries and sports, especially cricket always brings these two countries together." He added: "I think the boys are doing a great job. We've been going through a very tough time for the last seven, eight months but we are playing as a unit." Pakistan have been forced to play all their matches away from home since the country was turned into a 'no-go area' for the world's top teams after armed gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March 2009. And he insisted the pressure was all on India, who, like Pakistan, are bidding for a second World Cup title. "We are not the most favourite team for this competition, India is the most favourite team and we have played above expectations. We are very confident and we are enjoying our cricket."