Preview: Australia v Pakistan

Where: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

When: Saturday Mar 19, 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT, 20:00 AEDT, 22:00 NZDT

ODI Head to Head: Played: 85, Wins: Australia 52, Pakistan 29, Tied: 1, No Result: 3

Last meeting: Jan 31, 2010 – Pakistan 212-10 (49.3 ov) mislaid to Australia 213-8 (49.2 ov) by dual wickets

World Cup Head to head: Played: 7, Wins: Australia 4, Pakistan 3

World Cup Last meeting: February 11, 2003, Australia 310-8 (50 ov) def Pakistan 228-10 (44.3 ov) by 82 runs

Selection Table:
Likely Australian team: Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Cameron White, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Jason Krejza, Shaun Tait

The new-ball bowlers have struggled so far, though will expected be since an additional event to find a little hold prior to a genuine things begins.

Likely Pakistan team: Mohammed Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Misbah -ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar

Shafiq’s 78 opposite Zimbabwe in Pakistan’s final diversion should see him get a curtsy over Ahmed Shehzad, who has struggled for runs during a tournament, with Umar Akmal a possibility to reinstate a opener.

X-Factor:
Australia: Ricky Ponting – After an additional disaster opposite Canada upon Wednesday a skipper desperately needs a large hit to overpower a doubters.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi’s leg spin has claimed sixteen scalps to be a tournament’s streamer wicket taker, as good as his attack is able of receiving many attacks apart.

Summary:
Although both sides have already cumulative their place in a quarter-finals there is still copiousness to fool around for in Colombo, with tip mark in Group A accessible for a leader as good as a ensuing play-off opposite a fourth-placed group in Group B for a place in a semis.

The wicket during a R Premadasa Stadium has been a spinner’s bliss so distant in a tournament, as good as a Australians will be heedful of a Afridi’s spin streamer in to a match.

Wahab Riaz bowled good for Pakistan opposite Zimbabwe, though a enticement contingency certainly be there to play aged stager Akhtar with a maestro discerning announcing his early retirement upon Thursday, as good as he would adore a single some-more possibility to torture which Australians.

Australia, champions during a final 3 ICC World Cups, have been plain though ever unequivocally impressing – though have been a usually undefeated side left in a contest forward of their final Group A match.

Australia’s bowlers have been next standard as good as will be penetrating to have a matter opposite a powerhouse prior to a impressive person theatre arrives.