Pakistan enjoys playing in India most: Afridi

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COLOMBO: Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi enjoys playing in India more than any foreign country and would have no problems if his squad had to compete in World Cup knockout matches there.

"I have always enjoyed playing cricket in India," Afridi told reporters. "I never enjoy (playing) anywhere more than in India."

Pakistan has not toured India since 2007 and diplomatic relations have been strained between the two governments since a terror attack at Mumbai in November 2008. India postponed its scheduled tour to Pakistan in early 2009.

Pakistan was originally scheduled to be one of the four co-hosts of the World Cup, but was stripped of the rights after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus en route to a test match at Lahore. Many of those matches were switched to India.

There's a history of strained relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors, with bilateral cricket tours subject to that.

Pakistan toured India in 1999 even after threats from a political party Shiv Sena, which dug up Feroz Shah Kotla's pitch at New Delhi to warn them off.

"We have played in India in worse situations," Aridi said. "But we have no problems and have never feared going there."

The venue for Pakistan's quarterfinals is still undecided, and that isn't bothering Afridi.

New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have already qualified from Group A, but the final placings in the group will be decided on Saturday after Pakistan plays Australia.

The situation is more complex in Group B where only South Africa has so far qualified for the knockout stage and four teams — India, West Indies, England and Bangladesh — are in the running to grab the remaining three quarterfinal spots.

India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to host one quarterfinal each, while two will be played in Bangladesh.

Pakistan has a chance to top the group if it beats Australia but a defeat against four-time champions could result in a fourth-spot finish.

Afridi seems unconcerned about his quarterfinal rival.

"We are here to play a World Cup," he said. "Wherever we have to play we will go and have no fears going to India."

"I get maximum enjoyment in India and the kind of cricket we are playing we fear no venue and no opposition."

Pakistan has eight points from four victories and its only defeat came against the New Zealand when the Kiwis recorded 110-run win at Pallekele last week.

When asked whether his team could be able to handle the pressure of boisterous home crowd in Ahmedabad or Mohali if Pakistan has to play India, Afridi said, smiling: "When we go there, we will get to know that."

Besides, the Pakistan skipper said if his team has to play any of the knockout matches in India it could help reduce tensions between the two countries.

"I think a cricket match has always brought the people of both the countries together and has the capacity to improve relations between the two countries," he said. "If we go there it will be after a long time and you ask any (Pakistan player) he will tell you that we have enjoyed cricket in India."


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