ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia v Pakistan - 5 things to look forward to

Hosts Australia face off against Pakistan in the third Quarter Final at Adelaide Oval on FridayFacing a must win-game in their last league game, 1992 World Cup winners Pakistan handed Ireland a 7-wicket defeat to book their berth in the quarter finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, setting up a clash with favourites and 4-time World Champions Australia in Adelaide on Friday.Led by Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan finished Group B at 3rd position with 8 points from 6 games while co-hosts Australia ended Group A with a point more than their Asian opponents.Here are 5 things to look forward to in the 3rd Quarter Final of the World Cup, the winner of which will play India on 26th March in Sydney.

#1 4th bowler dilemma for Pakistan

Pakistan suffered a major setback to their WC campaign when bowling spearhead Mohammad Irfan was ruled out of the event due to a stress fracture of the pelvis.

The 32-year-old, who took 8 wickets in 5 games, missed the must win encounter against Ireland after getting injured in the game against UAE, where he had bowled only 3 overs, and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.

The lanky left hand swing bowler extracted steep bounce from the pitches on offer in Australia and New Zealand this WC and was crucial in leading his team to a victory against South Africa, picking up 3 wickets for 52 runs at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Already without Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul in this tournament, Irfan’s injury comes as a big blow to Pakistan.

The Pakistani think tank will have to sort out their fourth bowler conundrum with either Ehsan Adil or Yasir Shah likely to partner Wahab Riaz, with Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali being the other bowlers in the final 11.

If the Aussies see off the initial overs, Adil could prove to be a weak link for the team due to the lack of pace offered on his deliveries, inviting pinch hitters like Glenn Maxwell and David Warner to go after him on a pitch which tends to favour the batsmen.

Under such circumstances, leg spinner Shah could make a comeback into the team in place of the 7”1’ Irfan.

#2 Can the Pakistani trio of Afridi, Misbah, Younis end on a high?

Three mainstays of the Pakistan cricket team – all rounder Shahid Afridi, veteran batsman Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq – would look to bow out of ODI cricket on a high, after having announced their retirement from the 50-over format at the end of the marquee event.

All rounder Afridi, in the news recently more for his fitness concerns than his exploits on the field, hasn’t set the stage on fire, scoring 93 runs in 5 innings and picking up only 2 wickets in the 6 games played. In a career spanning almost 20 years, Boom Boom Afridi has played 397 matches and will become only the 5th cricketer to play 400 games if his side manages to reach the finals.

37 year old Younis Khan decided to hang up his boots after a number of former players called for his retirement following a string of low scores. Younis, who opened the innings for Pakistan versus India, has played only 3 games this WC and in all probability will be warming the bench on Friday as well.

Pakistan’s long serving captain and the lynchpin of the batting lineup, Misbah will call it a day after the ICC tournament as well. Despite the criticism revolving around his batting, the 37 year old’s unflappable temperament and patience have stood out in a career lasting 161 matches. Despite scoring 5088 runs, a century still eludes the captain and he would look to end his career with a hundred against his name.

#3 Key Players

Mitchell Starc- Australia’s most successful bowler this WC has constantly troubled the opposition with his accurate line and length, picking up 16 wickets in the 5 games played. At 6”5’, his height has helped him extract bounce from the pitches, and he has gone on to become one of the best death bowlers, bowling the toe crushing yorkers consistently at 150kmph.

The quickest to 77 wickets in 38 games, Starc was the highest wicket taker this tournament before India’s Mohammad Shami pipped him to top spot.

Sarfaraz Ahmed- Sarfaraz Ahmed has been a revelation for Pakistan this WC. Replacing Nasir Jamshed in the final squad, the 27 year old has scored 150 runs in the 2 games he has featured in, including an unbeaten 101 in the last game against Ireland.

Not only has he solved the team’s opening woes, he has also appeared to be a safe custodian behind the wickets, picking up 6 catches against South Africa.

#4 Chances of India-Pakistan semifinal

An India versus Pakistan encounter is always a mouth watering affair and a Pakistan victory on Friday will give cricket enthusiasts another opportunity to witness the two arch rivals in action in the semi finals, to be held on March 26. The winners of Quarter Final 3 will face off against MS Dhoni’s men at Sydney.

Despite betting odds of 4/1, one would think twice before writing off Pakistan from this encounter. With a plethora of fast bowlers and unpredictable batsmen in their ranks, the Men in Green are capable of causing an upset on their day.

Having defeated South Africa, the team is riding on a 4-match winning streak. Misbah’s men have the advantage of having played two of their league matches at Adelaide, while Australia last played an ODI at the venue over a year ago.

If reports are to believed, the groundsmen have left behind plenty of grass to aid their fast bowlers – a move which could backfire considering the Pakistan bowling attack which can rummage through any opposition on its day.

Verdict: Write off Pakistan at your own risk.

#5 Numbers\' Game

Pakistan would look to avenge their one sided 1999 WC final loss against Australia on Friday

Australia and Pakistan have met each other 92 times, with the former emerging triumphant on 57 occasions.

At the Adelaide Oval, the two teams have battled it out 6 times with Pakistan winning only 1 of these encounters.

In 8 games played at the WC, the two teams have won 4 games apiece. And if past encounters are anything to go by, the stage is set for an explosive contest.

In the 2003 WC, Pakistani wicketkeeper Rashid Latif was reported for racial comments on Australian Adam Gilchrist, leading to an exchange in bad taste between the two countries.The QF offers the Men in Green to avenge their one-sided loss to Australia in the 1999 WC final as well.

Match begins: 9am (IST)