Pakistan are the most unpredictable team in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. They have the capability of defeating any side on their day, but they can also make a mess of an easy situation in their own ‘hot and cold’ way.
Pakistan will face the home team Australia in the third quarter final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. Pakistan ended up finishing third in Pool B but their progress to the final eight was in some doubt right up until the final game. Pakistan came back strongly in the tournament after defeating South Africa, but it all came down to clash with Ireland and a disciplined all-round performance saw off any prospect of an upset.
While conditions and form may back Australia, Pakistan will rely on their bowling attack to proceed in the mega event. The contest might just be closer than what is expected.
Two things that Pakistan need to do to beat Australia in the third quarter final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015:
Ahmed Shehzad must look to attack: Ahmed Shehzad is an aggressive batsman and he has the capability of destroying any bowling attack on his day. But, for some strange reason, Pakistan have given him the role of occupying the crease and anchoring the innings. Pakistan must give Shehzad a free license to go and express himself and get them off to an aggressive start. Ahmed Shehzad must look to play with bravery and not come out to bat and start blocking and putting pressure on himself and others. He needs to rotate the strike also instead of playing out dot balls.
Don’t play a spinner instead of Mohammad Irfan: Mohammad Irfan’s injury has come as a big blow for Pakistan ahead of their quarter final clash against Australia. There are rumours that the leg-spinner Yasir Shah will replace Mohammad Irfan in the playing eleven. Now, it will be a very risky move to pick a player who hasn’t play a single game in the tournament. Sri Lanka made a similar kind of mistake by changing their combination and getting in some new faces in the first quarter final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 against South Africa. Also, the Adelaide Oval is relatively smaller ground and playing two wrist spinners can be a very risky move against the likes of David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson.
Last five meetings (Australia vs Pakistan):
Aug 31, 2012: Abu Dhabi Pakistan won by 7 wickets
Sept 03, 2012: Sharjah Australia won by 3 wickets
Oct 01, 2014: Sharjah Australia won by 93 runs
Oct 10, 2014: Dubai Australia won by 5 wickets
Oct 12, 2014: Abu Dhabi Australia won by 1 run
WORLD CUP
Played 8
Australia wins: 4
Pakistan wins: 4
Teams:
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood, George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Doherty.
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Ehsan Adil, Younis Khan, Yasir Shah, Nasir Jamshed.
By Aniket Arora
