adminMELBOURNE. — Australia enter their Cricket World Cup quarter-final as runaway favourites against Pakistan in Adelaide today, but will be wary of an enigmatic team that have proved a major thorn in their side at past tournaments.
Australia boast 11 wins from their past 13 one-day internationals against Pakistan, but it was the 2011 World Cup loss in Colombo that will be remembered grimly by a number of players in Michael Clarke’s side.
As triple defending champions, a Ricky Ponting-led Australia came into the 2011 pool match riding a 34-match winning streak at World Cups dating back to 1999.
Pakistan skittled their batsmen for 176, their lowest World Cup total since 1992, and held on to record a four-wicket victory that put Australia into a tough quarter-final which they ultimately lost to eventual champions India.
It was also Pakistan who were the last team to beat Australia before their winning streak which included the teams playing off in the 1999 World Cup final and Australia go on to defend the trophy twice.
Fast forward to the current tournament, the co-hosts will be wary of Pakistan’s return to form after their abject start to the tournament. — Reuters.
Online Reporter