Published: Mar 19, 2015, 08:21 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 20, 2015, 12:56 PM (IST)
Unpredictability is the only dangerous factor for Australia to watch out for, as Misbah-ul-Haq-led Pakistan take on the co-hosts and favourites of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. Devarchit Varma feels Australia must not dwell much into the threat Pakistan poses, and instead, should focus on their objectives.
Lost to India by 76 runs. Trounced by 150 runs by the West Indies. Scraped past Zimbabwe by mere 20 runs. Huge win by 129 runs over United Arab Emirates (UAE). Trumped South Africa by 29 runs via Duckworth-Lewis Method. Thrash Ireland by seven wickets. This has been Pakistan’s report card in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 so far, as they qualified for the quarter-final stage of the tournament somehow. Having managed to qualify for the knockouts, Pakistan now threaten the co-hosts with their unpredictability and uncertainty.
Ever since Pakistan started doing better in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the comparisons with the World Cup winning team of 1992 started surfacing. The world reckoned that Pakistan can relive history, because the batch of 1992 too had started off on a poor note but recovered well in time to go all the way to lift the trophy. Well, history does repeat itself, but no one knows when and where. And then, Pakistan surely do not have a Imran Khan in their ranks to lead their side to glory! Read: Australia vs Pakistan ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Quarter Final 3 at Adelaide
Pakistan might be feeling confident about their skills and possibility of creating an impact in this ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, but there are glaring shortcomings which cannot be ignored. The records are stacked against Pakistan, and there is no surety of a collective performances coming together. Teams like South Africa, India, New Zealand and Australia are far too consistent than them. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
If Pakistan are thinking the win over South Africa was a big achievement, and riding on that wave they can go on to win ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, they could be terribly wrong. Pakistan were lucky to have got the better of South Africa in the Pool B match despite their batsmen flopping miserably. Not to forget, these two sides share the same quality: The tendency of imploding. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
Australia can fear Pakistan with their inconsistency and unpredictability. But when it is only about assumption, Australia must not dwell over it. They have had a good run in the tournament and all eyes will be on them. Pakistan will take the field with that naughty child in street cricket game that does not have anything to lose, and would take his bat away if the game is not going in his favour. Pakistan were never expected to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, but in case they spring a surprise, Australia will certainly face a very tough time.
The way Australians approach this match would be extremely crucial. Australia cannot afford to lose sleep over Pakistan’s unpredictability and uncertainty, and instead, they will have to concentrate on the job that is in front of them.
Australia have all the necessary firepower in their ranks and now the time has come to unleash it. The form of their main batsmen is encouraging and the runs scored by experienced Michael Clarke and Shane Watson in their last few outings will stand in good stead. With the ball, the form of Mitchell Starc is extremely crucial and so are the others, such as Mitchell Johnson, James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
