Pakistan has never won a single game against India when it comes to the cricket World Cup and with the two bitter neighbours scheduled to play on 15 February, Pakistan batsman Younis Khan hopes to win their first ever World Cup game against India.
The men in blue have always outplayed their counterparts be it the 1996 World Cup, 1999 World Cup, 2003 World Cup or the last World Cup in 2011. India even defeated the Pakistani team during the 1992 World Cup, where Pakistan were the eventual champions.
These records just explain India's dominance in the competition over their rivals.
Despite such embarrassing record by Pakistan, Younis remains hopeful of changing history. "History is there to be changed and my feeling is this time we can change it and win against India in Adelaide," Younis told reporters on Thursday in Pakistan.
The game, which is scheduled to be played in Adelaide Oval, is expected to be well supported by fans of both the sides. The match always exceeds expectations and hence, tickets have already been sold out, which makes it one of the most popular matches in the tournament.
Talent has never been a problem with Pakistan cricket, as it has given birth to some of the finest cricketers of the world including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saaed Anwar, Imran Khan and Javed Maindad among others. However, sometimes they have failed as a unit.
Their current team comprises some great individual talent with Misbah-ul-Haq leading the team. Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi are experienced cricketers who could turn the game on its head on their own.
Younis feels that Pakistan have good performers and if all the players do their jobs and play like one, they can defeat India.
If both India and Pakistan play to their potential in Australia and New Zealand, they can definitely win the competition as well, though it may not be easy under the alien conditions. Younis feels there are no favourites for the World Cup.
"You can say in Australian and New Zealand conditions the host countries or South Africa and England will have an advantage but even they cannot be termed as favourites," he said.
Though, the Pakistani batsman may be 37 years of age, he is still not thinking of retirement. "I have not thought about an immediate retirement because frankly speaking I am still enjoying playing and my hunger for cricket is still there," he added."I still don't want to end one of the best periods of my life which is playing international cricket.
"Retirement will be my personal decision."
With his recent performance being top class, which includes five centuries and a fifty in his last ten appearances, the player still seems to have some good years of cricket left in him.
