Australia and Pakistan all set to clash in exciting thriller
Australia and Pakistan face each other in their final group match at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo, on Saturday. With the top four teams qualifying from Group A already decided, it is still not certain as to who will top the group.
A win for Australia will take them above Pakistan, and possibly even to the top of the group depending on results elsewhere. Unbeaten in their group so far, Australia will want to send out a strong message to the rest of the teams why they were one of the
pre-tournament favorites.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MG-Johnson-c1945 have been their best bowlers in the tournament so far and both will want to add to their tally of eight wickets. Not just for their team, but also for individual accolades as well.
In the batting department, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BJ-Haddin-c1170 lead the way for their side in terms of runs scored. Yet, the strong point about the Australian side is the fact that they are not just dependant on one member of the squad. Every player
contributes to the team effort and plays their part. It is something that has been a major factor in why the Australians have been such a dominant force in the cricketing world.
More importantly, however, the Australians will want to keep their winning momentum going into the knock out stages of the competition. It will also be an opportunity to get http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brett-Lee-c48419 back into wicket taking form, as he will be a vital asset in their sides’
attempt at reaching the semi-finals.
For Pakistan, one of the most inconsistent sides in the game, things won’t be so straight forward. Known for playing at their best after suffering setbacks, another New Zealand-esque wake up call, is probably just what the Men in Green need. A defeat against
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 is famed for, come to the forefront. An edge they can carry with them through the knock-out stages.
While the result may not be that important for Pakistan, the performance they put in will be. Captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 is the tournament’s leading wicket taker claiming 16 wickets. A few Australian names to that list will lift his confidence level too.
It also means that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Akhtar-c90080 does not have to take part in the match as the team can afford not to play the injury prone fast bowler and give him more time to get back to his physical best. It is something which the Pakistani physic will be sure to appreciate.
The fact that it can be taken as an exhibition game for the Pakistanis, will be a perfect opportunity for butter fingered wicket keeper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kamran-Akmal-c70122, to regain some form and confidence. He performed well against the Zimbabweans, yet they did not seem to
personify the composure that a top level keeper needs to demonstrate.
There is no doubting his ability, yet the keeper should see this match as a chance to redeem himself and find some rhythm. A single well taken catch or a stumping in the match can do wonders in terms of his mood which will ultimately trickle down to the
rest of the side.
So, in terms of what the result does for both sides, Australia has more to play for than Pakistan. For the men in green, however, it could be a potential win-win situation regardless of the result. A win would boost confidence, yet a loss would bring out
the cornered http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Timothy-Michael-Lamb-c94061 mentality that won them the 1992 World Cup. Regardless of the result, the most important thing for both sides though, will be the performance.
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