ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia v Pakistan - 5 things to look forward to

Hosts Australia face off against Pakistan in the third Quarter Final at Adelaide Oval on FridayFacing a must win-game in their last league game, 1992 World Cup winners Pakistan handed Ireland a 7-wicket defeat to book their berth in the quarter finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, setting up a clash with favourites and 4-time World Champions Australia in Adelaide on Friday.Led by Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan finished Group B at 3rd position with 8 points from 6 games while co-hosts Australia ended Group A with a point more than their Asian opponents.Here are 5 things to look forward to in the 3rd Quarter Final of the World Cup, the winner of which will play India on 26th March in Sydney.

#1 4th bowler dilemma for Pakistan

Pakistan suffered a major setback to their WC campaign when bowling spearhead Mohammad Irfan was ruled out of the event due to a stress fracture of the pelvis.

The 32-year-old, who took 8 wickets in 5 games, missed the must win encounter against Ireland after getting injured in the game against UAE, where he had bowled only 3 overs, and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.

The lanky left hand swing bowler extracted steep bounce from the pitches on offer in Australia and New Zealand this WC and was crucial in leading his team to a victory against South Africa, picking up 3 wickets for 52 runs at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Already without Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul in this tournament, Irfan’s injury comes as a big blow to Pakistan.

The Pakistani think tank will have to sort out their fourth bowler conundrum with either Ehsan Adil or Yasir Shah likely to partner Wahab Riaz, with Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali being the other bowlers in the final 11.

If the Aussies see off the initial overs, Adil could prove to be a weak link for the team due to the lack of pace offered on his deliveries, inviting pinch hitters like Glenn Maxwell and David Warner to go after him on a pitch which tends to favour the batsmen.

Under such circumstances, leg spinner Shah could make a comeback into the team in place of the 7”1’ Irfan.