Younis has 'burning ambition' to beat India

Younis Khan, the Pakistan captain, has said beating India will be one of his top priorities in the Champions Trophy, when the two sides clash on September 26 in Centurion. His remarks echoed those of team-mate Umar Gul from Sunday, and underline Pakistan's poor record against India in ICC events.

"The fact that we lost twice to India, in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 and then also in that World Cup match in 2003 in South Africa still hurts," Younis said. "India is a very good one-day side but it is my burning ambition to set the record straight against them and defeat them this time in the Champions Trophy in South Africa."

The only time Pakistan have trumped their arch rivals in ICC tournaments was in the 2004 Champions Trophy. "It would be a big moment when we play India in the Champions Trophy pool match in Centurion on September 26 as we have not played against each other for a while now," Younis said. "It will not be easy but we have some extra incentive to beat India given our track record in South Africa."

Relations between the two countries have been strained after the terror attacks in Mumbai last November, and they haven't played each other since meeting in the Asia Cup nearly a year ago. A huge crowd turned up at The Oval in June when India and Pakistan faced off in a warm-up game ahead of the World Twenty20.

The other two teams grouped with India and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy are Australia and West Indies. The top two sides from the preliminary phase progress to the semi-finals.