The tournament has entered it’s final stages and all the top teams have staked their claim at the top. Group A has been a straightforward story and the qualifiers are decided. It’s only a matter of which position who finishes and with what sort of form that team goes into the quarter finals. Australia are the most successful team in the tournament so far. Pakistan have fumbled a little on the way but are still tough to reckon with. Another exciting match.
Most runs scored
Australia are clearly the stronger batting side among the two. They have had good solid starts in nearly every match and their only concern seems to be the form of captain Ricky Ponting and Cameron White. Everyone else has been in good form and the return of Michael Hussey has made their team extremely stable. The only question is if White will still be persisted with or David Hussey will take is place. Nevertheless, there’s big runs to be had and Australia will look to do just that.
Pakistan have been very volatile in terms of their batting from the very beginning of the tournament. Misbah and Younus Khan bailed them out twice but have lost colour since then and every time Pakistan has come out to bat, they have not looked convincing at all. Hafeez finally got some runs in the last match and Asad Shafiq made good use of his opportunity. Shehzad is having a poor tournament and there might be a possibility Shafiq will be picked in place of him with the return of Umar Akmal which, in turn, will push Kamran Akmal back into the opening slot. Whatever might be, they will definitely have to bat out of their skins against this Aussie attack.
Available odds: Watson @ 3.50; Haddin @ 4.50; Clarke/Ponting @ 5.50; Younus Khan @ 5.00; Hafeez/Shafiq @ 5.50
that_guy’s picks: Clarke @ 5.50; Younus Khan @ 5.00
Most wickets
This match will feature two of the best pace bowling attacks in the tournament. Australia will be the more confident side in this department too, with their pacers proving all the stereotypes involved with sub-continent pitches wrong, so far. Tait, Lee and Johnson will be the men to watch out for. There wont be too many changes in either of the teams’ bowling departments, although the possibility of Saeed Ajmal coming is always neigh. Razzaq, Gul and Wahab Riaz have been good and are capable of causing problems to the Aussies.
Available odds: Lee @ 3.25; Johnson/Tait @ 4.00; Afridi @ 3.25; Gul @ 4.50; Rehman @ 5.00; Wahab Riaz @ 5.50
that_guy’s picks: Johnson @ 4.00; Gul @ 4.50
Match Result
Australia are on a high and are the more complete side. My money is on them to keep their awesome World Cup record.
Available odds: Australia @ 1.53; Pakistan @ 2.50
that_guy’s pick: Australia @ 1.53
[All odds taken from 888sport]