Dodgy selection decisions, suspended stars and injury-ravaged squad are just a few of the obstacles Pakistan has overcome to reach the quarter-final. From extreme low experienced in the defeats against India and West Indies to the ecstasy of beating South Africa, the Pakistan fans have gone through a roller-coaster of emotions.
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson admission that Australia is wary of the threat posed by ‘incredible Pakistan’ shows how far Pakistan has risen from their early defeats in the tournament. Pakistan’s performance in the current campaign has also drawn comparisons to their 1992 campaign where they were crowned champions after a dismissal start. However stats don’t make a rosy reading for the Pakistan fans.
Stat attack
Pakistan and Australia have met on 89 occasions, in these encounters Pakistan has won on just 31 occasions compared to Australia 54. In the matches played in Australia Pakistan have won 16 compared to Australia’s 32. The most worrying stat is however regarding the head to head record of Pakistan in the last ten years where Pakistan has managed just five victories to Australia eighteen. The team in green does rise for the big occasions as evident from their record against Australia in the World Cup which hangs in the balance with both teams with four wins apiece.
The pitch
The green-tinged Adelaide surface will favor the seamers. There are also suggestions that the side-pitches have also been watered which will blunt Pakistan’s potent reverse swing weapon.
Team news
Ehsan Adil looks set to retain his with the conditions expected to favor seamers. Younis Khan is likely to be included at the expense of Sohaib Maqsood. Younis has been heralded as a big match player by coach Waqar Younis.
I think Australia always plays aggressive cricket, and if you want to really be up there against them, you also need to play good, aggressive cricket.
Misbah ul Haq
Pakistan have been underrated for a long time, especially in ODI’s. I think they’ve got a lot of talent & they’ve shown that throughout the tournament.
Michael Clarke
3rd Quarter-Final:
Australia v Pakistan at Adelaide
08:30:30 PST
