Australia take on Pakistan in the third quarterfinal of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Adelaide Oval. The teams have a 4-4 head-to-head record but recent form suggests the tournament co-hosts will have the upper hand on Friday. Or will Pakistan spring a surprise? Catch live updates and scores here:� (LIVE SCORECARD | Fixtures | Photos )
History favours Australia, but Pakistan's astonishing ability to conjure magical wins promises enthralling cricket during their World Cup quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Misbah-ul-Haq's men are determined to replicate the success of their predecessors under Imran Khan who won the tournament Down Under in 1992 -- and their paths bear an uncanny similarity. (Read More )
Key Stats
Played: 92
Australia wins: 57
Pakistan wins: 31
Tied: 1
No result: 3
First meeting:
June 07, 1975 Leeds Australia won by 73 runs
Can Pakistan raise their game to topple Australia?
© Getty Images
Last five meetings:
Aug 31, 2012: Abu Dhabi Pakistan won by 7 wickets
Sept 03, 2012: Sharjah Australia won by 3 wickets
Oct 01, 2014: Sharjah Australia won by 93 runs
Oct 10, 2014: Dubai Australia won by 5 wickets
Oct 12, 2014: Abu Dhabi Australia won by 1 run
WORLD CUP
Played 8
Australia wins: 4
Pakistan wins: 4
June 07, 1975: Leeds Australia won by 73 runs
June 13, 1979: Nottingham Pakistan won by 89 runs
Nov 04, 1987: Lahore Australia won by 18 runs
Mar 11, 1992: Perth Pakistan won by 48 runs
May 23, 1999: Leeds Pakistan won by 10 runs (group stage)
June 20, 1999: Lord's Australia won by eight wickets (final)
Feb 11, 2003: Johannesburg Australia won by 82 runs
Mar 19, 2011: Colombo Pakistan won by four wickets
Mitchell Starc is currently the leading wicket-taker for Australia.
© Getty Images
Key Men
Australia
Mitchell Starc
The tall left-arm fast bowler has been the stand-out performer with the ball for Australia, his 16 wickets in five matches leaving him at the top of the bowling charts in the tournament.
Starc's consistent length and his ability to extract bounce almost enabled Australia to defend their paltry 151 all out against New Zealand in Auckland before the Black Caps squeezed home for the loss of nine wickets.
The 25-year-old should enjoy the hard and bouncy drop-in pitch at the Adelaide Oval where India's 300-7 against Pakistan at the start of the tournament is the highest ODI total ever at the ground.
Pakistan
Misbah-ul Haq
The gutsy skipper has led Pakistan from the front with four half-centuries in the first five matches when others around him were falling apart. His 56 against South Africa was crucial in the low-scoring game where Pakistan successfully defended 222.
The 40-year-old, who will quit one-day cricket after the World Cup, is the rock around whom Pakistan rally in a crisis.
Often criticised for a slow strike-rate, Misbah stunned critics by smashing a Test century off 56 balls against Australia in Abu Dhabi last November, equalling the record of West Indies legend Viv Richards.
Pakistan will hope for another landmark innings from their captain against the same rivals on Friday.
Pakistan Need to Stay Aggressive vs Australia
Aggression is the best defence against a team like Australia. And Pakistan's aggression has got a severe blow when Mohammad Irfan has been ruled out of the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final against the host. (Read More )
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