4 reasons why Indian fans are supporting Pakistan against Australia

India defeated Bangladesh by 109 runs in their quarter-final and are now awaiting the result of the Pakistan-Australia match to find out who their semi-final will be against on March 26. While stalwarts like Sourav Ganguly, Ian Chappel and Brian Lara think that India should be preparing for a battle with Australia, an overwhelming part of the Indian population will be backing the Pakistan team in the 3rd quarter-final on 20th March. After all, as the case of the 'Mauka'-man goes to show, the chance of an India-Pakistan meeting in a World Cup is an occasion that is as big as it is rare.  

#1 Easier opposition on form

Misbah ul-Haq and Mohammad Irfan

As the adage goes, the only thing one can be sure of in cricket is – nothing. However, elements like batting depth and bowling variation are what make up a team’s armoury, and it has to be said that Australia have been way ahead of Pakistan in such departments in recent years.

The Pakistani batting order has looked fragile at best, and hopeless at worst; while on the other hand, Australia have power-hitters like David Warner, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell – batsmen who can single-handedly take the game away from Mohammed Shami and co. on their day.

Mitchell Starc, with 16 wickets, is being seen as the most dangerous fast bowler of this tournament, and most of the Indian thinktank’s preparations for the semi-final will involve plans of tackling the New South Wales pacer. On the other hand, Pakistan have to do without their premier fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, who is out with a pelvic stress fracture, for the rest of the World Cup.

On paper, Australia are the more difficult oppositions without any doubt. The results from India’s long tour of Australia prior to the World Cup stand as proof.