Afridi looking forward to India match in Champions Trophy

Karachi:

Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is looking forward to play against India in the Champions Trophy in South Africa where his side had not beaten their neighbours in an ICC tournament in recent years.

Afridi said he has a lot of respect for India which had a very good one-day combination and the match between the two arch rivals should produce fireworks.

"India are a strong side and our present team is also well balanced and has depth so we should have a good match. I am looking forward to it," he told reporters in Lahore.

"The rivalry and intensity of playing against each other is always there. It does not matter who wins or loses. What is important is I want to play with passion and aggression and I expect our players to show 100 per cent commitment," he added.

Pakistan lost their 2003 World Cup match to India at the Centurion and were twice beaten in the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

"I think our team is very experienced and balanced and we can do well in South Africa and try to change our past record there," Afridi said.

He said Pakistan have some good players particularly like Muhammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq.

"Although Malik and Misbah have recently not scored many runs but they are quality players and they have played some brilliant innings in the past. So I am expecting them to do well in Champions Trophy. It will add a lot of depth to our batting if they click," he said.