For today’s Australia clash, Pakistan look to raise game

Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand remain the two strongest sides in the World Cup and the Kangaroos represent Pakistan's stiffest challenge so far. If one team can tame the Aussies then it is Pakistan but every player in the side must perform and raise his game.

Already, Pakistan have an inspired win under their belt, when they beat one of the tournament favourites in South Africa and they will certainly take motivation from that effort. However, Australia will also be coming into the match high on confidence, having lost just one match, when they were defeated by Trans-Tasmanian neighbours New Zealand. While their batting failed to fire in that match, the bowlers put up an incredible fight in the narrow one-wicket loss.

From a neutral perspective, it is a mouth-watering clash. Pakistan played some amazing cricket to qualify for the knockout stage, while Australia have tried - and generally succeeded - to dominate the opposition with their all-out attack.

Even the most hopeful of Pakistan fans would admit that, at least on paper, Australia are stronger than Pakistan but such is the history of the men in green that they can never be written off.

Australia - on the wrong side of a 2-0 drubbing in the Test series – would know full well to not take Pakistan lightly. However, they also defeated the hosts 3-0 in the ODIs in the UAE so confidence will not be short in the Australian camp, especially considering the favourable conditions.

Irfan’s injury

Pakistan’s pace attack has been in tremendous form but Muhammad Irfan’s breakdown at such a crucial time is certainly a big loss because he keeps batsmen on their toes.

The loss will not only affect morale but will also mean that Pakistan will have to go back to the drawing board in terms of bowling partnerships. Irfan and Sohail Khan had been complementing each other well with the new ball, while Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali were bowling well in tandem in the middle overs. However, with Irfan out, there would surely be a shift in tactics.

Team selection

A decision needs to be made on bringing back Younis Khan, who will bring a bucket-load of experience to the batting line-up. However, the management could not be blamed if they decide to stick to the same batting line-up, with Yasir Shah or Ehsan Adil playing depending on the conditions.

So far, the ball has not zipped through at Adelaide but it remains a bouncy pitch, which has helped the spinners so the temptation to throw in Yasir would certainly be there.

Where the match may be won or lost

Shahid Afridi could end up giving his best showing of the event against Australia as he seems to have found his trademark drift when bowling, which makes him so hard to get away.

Umar Akmal may also do something special with the bat against the Kangaroos, because he likes genuine pacers and has done well whenever he has come up against Australia.

Pakistan’s bowlers will challenge the Australians but it will be the batting where the bar needs to be raised. Australia have been heavily depending on their two Mitchells - Starc and Johnson.

It is Starc who has looked the most threatening as he swings the ball at a good pace while Johnson has not been at his best. But it would still be wise to show both of them a certain degree of respect, and if Pakistan do not lose wickets  to them, then they can make up for it against the other bowlers.

As far as the batting is concerned, the team would need another good start from openers Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed - not necessarily a big one but still a platform for the middle order to build upon.

Sarfraz has grabbed his opportunity with both hands and after consecutive man-of-the-match performances, he seems to be the name on everyone’s lips.

This is the sort of opportunity the World Cup provides, with players being propelled to heroic status within just a few matches. Hopefully, Pakistan will find other heroes as well, to add to Sarfraz, Shehzad and Wahab.

While a win cannot be demanded from a side up against the mighty Australians, especially one that has been shorn of its best players, the fans will be hoping that Pakistan can at least continue their good form and put up a valiant fight.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2015.