LAHORE: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan were preparing themselves for World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.

“The whole team is focused to face the most difficult challenge in world cricket, and with the determination of the players and the backing of the millions of Pakistani fans, we hope to once again rule the world,” Misbah said as he posed with the World Cup trophy in front of Badshahi Mosque and the iconic Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore as part of the trophy’s global tour.

The 40-year-old Misbah acknowledged the tournament starting in February could also be his international swansong.

Pakistan’s opening match on Feb 15 in Adelaide will be against arch-rivals India, who they have never beaten in five previous World Cup matches.

With so much history between them, Misbah said, “People will be looking at it as more than a final.”

The World Cup trophy was then taken to Pakistan’s cricket headquarters at the Gaddafi Stadium, before it departed for Karachi where it was scheduled to be displayed at the National Stadium during the domestic Twenty20 competition.

At the Gaddafi Stadium, the trophy was welcomed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Shaharyar Khan.

“The World Cup is cricket’s premier global event,” he said. “Pakistan, Pakistanis, our passionate cricketing fraternity and the Pakistan Cricket Board are most pleased to showcase the trophy of the event.

“In keeping with our standing as a top cricketing nation, we expect to do well in next year’s competition as well.”

Published in Dawn, September 18th , 2014