Australia v Pakistan duels are generally separated by home form and away form. Very rarely does the touring team perform well in the home countries’ conditions. This was true in the most recent test series the teams played where Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq made a mockery of Mitchell Johnson and co. However, the one day game is the ultimate leveller, and results in the ODI format have not been as intertwined with the conditions.
That said, we’re not giving Pakistan much of a chance against the most complete team of the World Cup. Australia have every facet covered, including a bona fide spin option in Glenn Maxwell. Even with that prediction we would prefer a close match that rewards the fans with the type of cricket that each is capable off.
The Last Time These Two Met
After blowing the Australian test team out of the water in October last year, the Pakistan ODI side suffered a reversal when they were completely outplayed to lose the one day series 3-0. The Sharjah and Dubai hosted series became famous for the final one-dater when Glenn Maxwell bowled a double wicket maiden in the final over to see Australia home by 1 run. Hopefully, today’s match is equally as exciting.
The Teams
Australia (likely): 1 Aaron Finch, 2 David Warner, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Shane Watson, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 James Faulkner, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Pat Cummins/Josh Hazlewood
Australia are relatively well-settled now that Shane Watson performed in his new number 6 role. His runs against Sri Lanka and wickets against Scotland have all but assured him of the nod ahead of Mitchell Marsh. The decision between Cummins and Hazlewood might be the only one for the selectors.
Pakistan (likely): 1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 3 Haris Sohail, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Sohaib Maqsood, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Sohail Khan, 10 Rahat Ali, 11 Ehsan Adil/Yasir Shah
The loss of Mohammad Irfan is a big one for Pakistan. His awkwardness might have posed a challenge for the Australian top order. Ehsan Adil will play an important role in replacing him.
The Key Players
Steven Smith – The Australians have the most powerful batting line-up in the tournament. Warner, Finch, Faulkner, Maxwell and Watson are all power hitters. But the work of the more subtle Steven Smith is crucially important. The glue of the middle order has flourished at number three and looks to be back to his pre Christmas form. Amongst all the fanfare of the in your face Australians, we think it will be the quiet achieving Steven Smith that steals the show today.
The Match Odds*
Australia – $1.16
Pakistan – $5.50
*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.
The Prediction
We sense that all quarterfinals are going to follow the for guide and end up being awfully one-sided. We see this one no differently to the two qaurter-finals thus far and are predicting a big Australian win. By 7 wickets or 80 runs.
The Best Bets
As above, Steven Smith to Top Score @ $5.00
Mitchell Starc as Man of the Match @ $7.00
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
