The first quarter-final of the ICC World Cup will see a rampant Pakistan take on West Indies at Shere Bangla National Stadiumr, Dhaka.
West Indies have done just enough to secure their place in the final eight, beating Ireland, The Netherlands and Bangladesh. While less than impressive, they have been without star batsman Chris Gayle and he will be keen to atone for missing much of the tournament.
Pakistan have been excellent and defied those who believed they would fold after spot-fixing charges robbed them of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt. They managed to lose only once, albeit a decisive 110 run hammering at the hands of New Zealand.
It seems that Pakistan deserves to be heavy favourites to win this encounter, but on their day both teams are capable of anything, both good and bad. A lot will depend on what Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi does with the bat and ball. The story is the same for the West Indies who will rely heavily on Gayle and what he can deliver with both bat and ball.
Key Players
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi – 'Boom boom' has had one hell of a World Cup, but not with the bat as expected. Best known for his lusty swipes of the willow, the Pakistan captain's unique brand of leg-spin is what has them on top of their game. Afridi is the leading wicket taker in the tournament, having taken 17 wickets at an average of 11.47 and an economy rate of just 3.54.
His has struggled with the bat though with a high score of just 20, but if Pakistan are chasing a big total, his lusty hitting will be vital.
West Indies: Kemar Roach – If Pakistan revealed a weakness during their victory over Australia it is that they can struggle against the quicks, especially when they bowl good line and length. Brett Lee's 4/28 is proof enough that they can be cracked.
Roach is now a quicker bowler than Lee and is the spearhead of the West Indies attack. If he lets rip with a couple of furious spells he could tear through the usually solid Pakistan middle order. He has taken 13 wickets at an average of 12, so he’s in form and Pakistan have never seen the 22-year-old in the One-day International arena.
Path to the quarter-finals:
Pakistan: def Kenya by 205 runs, def Sri Lanka by 11 runs, def Canada by 46 runs, lost to New Zealand by 110 runs, def Zimbabwe by 7 wickets, def Australia by 4 wickets.
West Indies: lost to South Africa by 7 wickets, def Netherlands by 215 runs, def Bangladesh by 9 wickets, def Ireland by 44 runs, lost to England by 18 runs, lost to India by 80 runs.
Last ten: Pakistan lead 8-2 but they have not met since 2009.
At Dhaka: Pakistan have a 66% success rate, while the West Indies have only played there once, when they crushed Bangladesh in the group stage.
Prediction: West Indies to cause the upset of the tournament so far.
Source: ninemsn
West Indies have done just enough to secure their place in the final eight, beating Ireland, The Netherlands and Bangladesh. While less than impressive, they have been without star batsman Chris Gayle and he will be keen to atone for missing much of the tournament.
Pakistan have been excellent and defied those who believed they would fold after spot-fixing charges robbed them of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt. They managed to lose only once, albeit a decisive 110 run hammering at the hands of New Zealand.
It seems that Pakistan deserves to be heavy favourites to win this encounter, but on their day both teams are capable of anything, both good and bad. A lot will depend on what Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi does with the bat and ball. The story is the same for the West Indies who will rely heavily on Gayle and what he can deliver with both bat and ball.
Key Players
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi – 'Boom boom' has had one hell of a World Cup, but not with the bat as expected. Best known for his lusty swipes of the willow, the Pakistan captain's unique brand of leg-spin is what has them on top of their game. Afridi is the leading wicket taker in the tournament, having taken 17 wickets at an average of 11.47 and an economy rate of just 3.54.
His has struggled with the bat though with a high score of just 20, but if Pakistan are chasing a big total, his lusty hitting will be vital.
West Indies: Kemar Roach – If Pakistan revealed a weakness during their victory over Australia it is that they can struggle against the quicks, especially when they bowl good line and length. Brett Lee's 4/28 is proof enough that they can be cracked.
Roach is now a quicker bowler than Lee and is the spearhead of the West Indies attack. If he lets rip with a couple of furious spells he could tear through the usually solid Pakistan middle order. He has taken 13 wickets at an average of 12, so he’s in form and Pakistan have never seen the 22-year-old in the One-day International arena.
Path to the quarter-finals:
Pakistan: def Kenya by 205 runs, def Sri Lanka by 11 runs, def Canada by 46 runs, lost to New Zealand by 110 runs, def Zimbabwe by 7 wickets, def Australia by 4 wickets.
West Indies: lost to South Africa by 7 wickets, def Netherlands by 215 runs, def Bangladesh by 9 wickets, def Ireland by 44 runs, lost to England by 18 runs, lost to India by 80 runs.
Last ten: Pakistan lead 8-2 but they have not met since 2009.
At Dhaka: Pakistan have a 66% success rate, while the West Indies have only played there once, when they crushed Bangladesh in the group stage.
Prediction: West Indies to cause the upset of the tournament so far.
Source: ninemsn
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