BIRMINGHAM, Sept 16: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said the team were in confident mood ahead of their winner-take-all Champions Trophy clash against India at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Whoever wins the game between the Asian rivals will be guaranteed a place in the semifinals of the 'mini World Cup' with both teams having already beaten Pool 'C' rivals Kenya.
Pakistan, who are bidding to make it three successive one-day wins against India, warmed up for what many predict will be the match of the tournament by beating Kenya, last year's World Cup semifinalists, by seven wickets at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Leg-spinner Afridi, 24, took a One-day International career-best of five wickets for 11 runs as the Africans were bowled out for just 94, their lowest One-day International score against Pakistan.
That match, held over from Tuesday when no play was possible because of rain, was watched by a smattering of spectators. But Sunday's game became a 21,000 sell-out within hours of tickets going on sale and Afridi said: "It's a big occasion and Inshallah (God willing) we are all keen to play that game."
When the sides last met in August's Dutch triangular event in Amstelveen, Afridi took four for 24 as Pakistan enjoyed a 66-run win albeit in a match reduced by rain to 33 overs per side.
Afridi, who made his name as a hard-hitting batsman and now needs just three more runs for 4,000 in One-day Internationals, added: "In Holland we did well against India and Inshallah we are positive."
India will be without star batsman Sachin Tendulkar who has been sidelined with an elbow injury since withdrawing on the morning of the Pakistan game in the Netherlands. And Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq said: "Sachin is a great player and it would be an advantage to any opposition not to have him in the India team."
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar pulled up after nine balls with a back problem but Inzamam said his teammate would be firing on all cylinders come Sunday. "He's fully fit, he was complaining on the wicket of something in the back but he's fully fit."
Meanwhile, a dejected Steve Tikolo, who announced his intention to resign as Kenya captain following this defeat, struggled to find positives from two heavy reverses (India beat Kenya by 98 runs) in what were his side's first One-day Internationals in 18 months.
"With the scenario we have in Kenya, with a lack of games, we can't feel optimistic anymore," said Tikolo who helped his team to the World Cup semifinals last year. -AFP