CHENNAI, (Reuters) – Australia’s bid to prolong their unbeaten World Cup run and Pakistan’s ambitions to top Group A will ensure no punches are pulled in Colombo tomorrow even though both sides have booked quarter-final places.
For Australia, the otherwise inconsequential match should have been just an opportunity to test their bench strength and provide skipper Ricky Ponting another chance to find his form before the four-times champions begin their knock-out stage campaign.
But in all probability the match is far from just a dead rubber for Australia.
Wednesday’s seven-wicket win over Canada extended their unbeaten World Cup run to 34 matches dating back to 1999 and Australia would do everything to stretch that streak.
Australia may not have that aura of invincibility any more but they retain the same healthy detest for defeats and would definitely raise their game by a few notches to overcome Pakistan.
“We haven’t fully been tested yet. We know we’re going to be tested against Pakistan,” Ponting said after beating Canada.
Their otherwise formidable pace trio of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson had problems containing the likes of Hiral Patel or Ashish Bagai and that is not good news for them going into the knockout stage.
The sharpness that has been the hallmark of their fielding has also deserted Australia and Ponting’s form with the bat has also been disappointing. The 36-year-old has averaged just 20.75 runs in his last four innings.
“You could say I am due, would have been nice to be not out (against Canada) but maybe I am saving it up for the big games,” said Ponting.
Pakistan will do everything to make sure it does not come against them and coach Waqar Younis wants the team to beat Australia and carry the momentum into the knock-out stage.
“Momentum is very important. Australia are such a big team, world champions, and they haven’t lost for ages. That is an opportunity,” he said.
“If you beat them, you leave a mark. You can look the next matches and teams will think twice about playing against you.”
Besides, Pakistan also need to give their opening pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad another chance to click as a pair, something they have not done in the tournament so far.
Like Ponting, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi also needs to perform with the bat.
“I’m sure I will perform with the bat. My team needs my batting contribution as well,” said all rounder Afridi, who tops the tournament’s wicket-takers list with 16 scalps.
The team also need to make sure that pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s decision to retire after the World Cup does not become a distraction for them.
