Pakistan or Australia?, It is going to be a cracker of a contest

CO-HOSTS AND FAVOURITES:

When the 2015 ODI World Cup began, no one cared to look past Australia to lift a record fifth title. A strong team, home advantage, and flailing opposition, meant that they were in pole position going into the tournament. As the quarter-final stage reaches its point, the co-hosts find themselves in the odd position of needing to remake that "favourites' impression. How did it happen? During the first couple weeks of the competition, they never really got higher than third gear. An easy victory against England, a wash-out against Bangladesh and a close-shave defeat against New Zealand meant that they found themselves in a difficult position of having to win the remaining matches to finish second in the group. This, when top spot in Pool A was considered a given at the beginning. From there onwards, it has been about putting in professional performances one after the other.Afghanistan were brushed aside, Sri Lanka challenged but Australia persevered, and then Scotland provided for some experimentation, and they finished second after all.

THE UNPREDICTABLE GREEN BRIGADE:

No one ever knows which Pakistan side turns up on the given day. It could be the ones who beat South Africa with consummate ease in Auckland.Or it could be the ones who couldn't get a move on against India or got unstuck against Zimbabwe before Misbah ul Haq saved them. As always he will have a big say on the proceedings. The runs off his blade as well as the calming influence he exudes as captain on the field will be needed more than ever. To what degree his wards listen will shape their performance in this match.Simply put, they need to score big runs, whilst batting first or chasing. A dominant team like Australia can only be flustered if put under pressure, and runs are the only commodity in international cricket to do that. Pakistan will have to rely on their weak-point for it. Sarfraz Ahmed and Umar Akmal, along with Misbah, can provide some hope and stability in this regard, which will give essential flip to their strong-point, bowling.

KEY BATTLE:

Pakistan's pace attack has slowly gained momentum in recent matches. Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali stumped South Africa to defend a 220-odd target.Add Ehsaan Adil and Sohail Khan as support and they were coming into their own just at the right stage of the tournament. But as ill-luck would have it, Irfan has been ruled out owing to a pelvic injury, bringing serious disruptions to their plans just when they were gathering full steam. They can only opt for a replacement if they reach the semi-finals, which will be no easy task.But it will be a fiery pace competition as the Aussies boast of some tearaway bowlers in Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, all capable of consistently bowling at 145-plus. With Josh Hazlewood putting his hand up, the team management is spoilt for choice. The bowling attack that comes up trumps on the day will be celebrating, there can be no doubt.