Pakistan vs Australia Preview & Live Score: ICC Champions Trophy 2009

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Looking for a semi final berth in Champions Trophy 2009, Australia is going to play their last group match against Pakistan tomorrow (30 September) at Centurion. After the match between India and Australia was washed out yesterday, Australia now needs to win over Pakistan in order to clinch their semi final place without having to face any complex calculation of net run rate. For Pakistan, it is not a very big match because they have already reached the semi final after winning over West Indies and India. However, Pakistan knows it very well that if they lose to Australia then Australia will go into the last four as Group A champion. Naturally, Pakistan would like to hold on to its leading place in the group.

Match: Australia vs Pakistan, Group A, ICC Champions Trophy 2009

Date: 30 September 2009

Venue: The SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa

Kick off: 07:30 GMT (Local Time 09:30)

Australia is now in the race with India to reach the semi final. Ponting and his side defeated West Indies by 50 runs in the first group match and then shared points with India in the washed-out game. So, they have 3 points from 2 games, while India, who lost to Pakistan in the first game, has only 1 point from 2 matches. The good thing for India is that they would face West Indies in their next match, and thus, having a good chance of maintaining a good net run rate by defeating the second string West Indies with a big margin.

BBC reported:

India now have to beat West Indies on Wednesday if they hope to progress.

With Pakistan already into the last four with two wins from two games, India have one point and Australia three.

That means Mahendra Dhoni's men must beat the Windies convincingly and hope Pakistan see off Australia in Wednesday's other match.

At this moment, Australia has an advantage over India in terms of net run rate. Australia’s net run rate is +1.000, almost +2.08 above India. That means Australia can go through to the semi final, even if they lose against Pakistan. They just need to ensure that they do not suffer a big margin victory. The smaller the Pakistan’s winning margin over Australia would be, the bigger the India’s winning margin over West Indies would be required.

Australia got off to a winning start in the tournament when they defeated West Indies by 50 runs in the opening game. Against India, Australian batsmen were looking formidable until rain halted the game. Australian batsmen failed to appear with their best against West Indies, but their top order batsmen got their form back against India. Captain Ricky Ponting was impressive in both the games, scoring half centuries on both occasions. Naturally, Australia has nothing to worry about at this moment. They just need to according to their credit.

PTI News reported:

The Australians have had a reasonably good tournament, wining the opening match against the West Indies before dominating the abandoned game against India.
Ponting has led from the front in both the matches, scoring a couple of crucial fifties and putting together match-saving partnerships in tough conditions.

However, Australian batsmen might face a big test against Pakistan’s two in-from spinners: Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal who are currently causing problems for the opposition batsmen consistently. I think, Pakistan would feature Mohammad Asif who has been back into the squad after serving a year of doping ban. The pacer has not played any international game over more than a year now. Naturally, Pakistan would like to play the pacer because they have already ensured their semi final berth and a defeat to Australia would not mar their aspiration of winning the Champions trophy 2009.

Brisbanetimes reported:

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam nominated the presence of spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal as a worry for Australia's batsmen on the slower wicket at SuperSport Park.

"So far the way they are bowling, they are exceptional, so we have an edge over them (Australia)," Intikhab said.

"They are a world-class side, they're very professional cricketers, but it will be a great challenge for them to tackle the Pakistani spinners."

Pakistani batsmen got their form back against India, even though they struggled against West Indies while chasing a very low total in their opening game. They have a very good batting line up in the presence of Nazir, Kamran Akmal, Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Afridi and Rana Naved. No doubt, Pakistan poses a threat for Australia in the next game.

Australia will also be careful on the net run rate criteria as well. Even if they see that things are going against them, they would then try to ensure that they would not lose by a big margin. So, at this moment, I think Australia seems to be favorite over India to join Pakistan in the semi final. I do not think that Australia would bring any change in their squad against Pakistan.

Online Live Score and Updates

You can get the live score and updates of the match from the following websites:

Cricinfo

Thatscricket

action8cricket

Stickiewicket

Pakistan seems to be favorite at this moment, but Australia has a very strong squad and more than anything, Aussies are determined to make it to the semi final. They know that elimination from the group stage would add to their pressure that they have been feeling since losing the Ashes 2009 series. Given Pakistan’s high-flying form, it seems that Younis Khan and his side would like to continue their winning run before playing their semi final match. So, we can expect a highly competitive affair on Wednesday.