ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final: India v Pakistan
Venue: Mohali Date: Wednesday, 30 March (1000 BST)
Coverage: Highlights on BBC Two (see listings), Red Button & online at 2200 GMT (UK only); live Test Match Special commentary (BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and online); text commentary online and mobiles; live on Sky Sports  Hafeez scored his eighth ODI 50 in the quarter-final win over West Indies |
Mohammad Hafeez believes Pakistan's dismal World Cup record against arch rivals India will count for nothing in Wednesday's semi-final match in Mohali. The 1992 winners have lost all four of their World Cup games against India, but the all-rounder remained upbeat. "In the last 11-12 years, Australia had not lost a World Cup game, then lost to us and India," Hafeez said. "Whatever has happened is history. We have a unity and back each other and that is the key to our success." Pakistan reached the last four after wins over Sri Lanka and Australia in the group stage, before thrashing West Indies in Mirpur by 10 wickets in the last eight. India, meanwhile, ended Australia's 12-year domination of the competition when they beat the defending champions by five wickets in the quarter-finals on Thursday. Hafeez says Pakistan are relishing the chance to erase the disappointment of losing the rights to host the 2011 tournament and help revive international cricket in his own country. It will be Pakistan's first cricket match in India since before the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, in which 166 people died and has been blamed on Pakistan-based extremists. Pakistan was stripped of the rights to co-host this World Cup after a separate terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus en route to a Test match at Lahore in 2009, and no international team has toured there since.  | I don't think there is any extra pressure on me or on the team because we are playing against India |
"Obviously, not having the World Cup in Pakistan is a big disappointment for the people of Pakistan and for the players as well, but whatever decision the ICC has taken, we are doing what we can do as players," the 30-year-old stated. "We want to play good cricket and put in good performances and tell the world that as a nation, we are strong enough and, God willing, international cricket will resume in Pakistan. That's what we are trying to do, send out a strong message." He continued: "If you are playing in the semi-final of the World Cup, there will be pressure, but since we have worked really hard, I don't think there is any extra pressure on me or on the team because we are playing against India." Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said India are favourites for Wednesday's game and admitted he is still haunted by the 1996 World Cup defeat by India in Bangalore. "I was part of that game and I still feel the pain," Latif added. "People have not forgotten that match even after 15 years. Every player wants to be remembered in history and an Indo-Pak encounter is an ideal opportunity to reach stardom in a flash. "India in India are favourites, there is no doubt, but as a unit the Pakistan team has been very composed in this World Cup, so the team which attacks more will win."
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