Which side will win the Australia v Pakistan game in the ICC World Cup 2019?

[MenInG]

Some will say, easy choice - Australia given their awesome form but Pakistan can never be underestimated.

So can Mohammad Amir take on David Warner and Smith?

Can Fakhar Zaman and Imam, Babar come up trumps against the likes of Starc?

 

[junaidji]

Unfortunately I think the Aussies will take this. Zampa, Starc, Smith, and Warner are just going to be too much for us. Maybe Amir and Wahab can pull off some heroics, but it's really going to be difficult going up against their bowling. Unlike England whose bowling is dependent on Archer, Australia's is more solidified.

 

[Hasan123]

Australia know how to beat Pakistan. Australia should win this one. With India to come , those saying 1 point today is a good thing may change their tune after these next 2 games. We needed to beat Sri Lanka today. We all know a performance like we had against West Indies could happen again. Australia and India know how to beat us, so a poor performance there isn't a surprise.

We need to win 4 games if we lose to Australia and India.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Rain.

 

[pakistani pride]

PAK can surely win this. People need to be optimistic. PAK has the fire power to beat all the teams. I expect PAK to bring the intensity and play good cricket.

 

[Shaddy86]

Will be driving for 3 hours early in the morning. Hopefully it doesn't rain otherwise it'll be another bad experience after the windies and today's game.

 

[Technics 1210]

I'm preparing the humble pie stall for Wednesday.

Pakistan to beat Australia.

 

[Mueez]

Pakistan.

Have a feeling we will hammer the Aussies.

 

[Sarwar89]

In Group stage matches of world cups Pakistan does not have a bad record against Australians. Beat them in 1992,1999,2011. Pakistan can certainly beat them provided if it is a minimum 30 over game, as rain threat is also there. If the match goes ahead, I feel Wahab, Aamir and Hasan Ali will rattle them.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Australia will win, this is exactly like the 1992 World Cup. There will be a repeat of England vs Pakistan final.

 

[Runner Up]

If the conditions are good for batting and Pakistan bats first then Pakistan have a chance.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Pakistan.

Have a feeling we will hammer the Aussies.

Lmao do you say " i have a feeling .... x will happen" every match and hope it sticks?

Anyways it's being played in Taunton. Aussies are clueless vs Spin. Put Imad Wasim in place of Asif.

CHoke Aussies with Hafeez, Shadab, Malik, and Imad spin. Should be an easy win if we get 30 overs of spin in.

 

[Suleiman]

Maxwell will come back into his own like he always does vs us.

 

[zains_rulez]

Rain might win again

 

[Inswing]

Hopefully it wont rain.

I think apart from starc and cummins their bowling attack is quite overrated. Their 30 overs are shared between stoinis, colter, zampa and maxwell honestly these bowlers are just not a big threats given that how our batting is performing. I'll happily take 35/0 in starting of our 10 overs once we will see off the new ball then its our game to lose. We do have wicket takers who can rattle Aus, just follow the WI approach bounce them with bouncers and then choke them with spin.

 

[shaz72]

If the conditions are good for batting and Pakistan bats first then Pakistan have a chance.

Rain forecast for whole day in Taunton.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Rain.

Is rain Also in the forecast for this match?

 

[Ronaldo7]

Is rain Also in the forecast for this match?

Yes

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Unfortunately I think the Aussies will take this. Zampa, Starc, Smith, and Warner are just going to be too much for us. Maybe Amir and Wahab can pull off some heroics, but it's really going to be difficult going up against their bowling. Unlike England whose bowling is dependent on Archer, Australia's is more solidified.

Australia have to Be slight Favorite against Pakistan, However England is the Better than Australia for Sure

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Yes

LoL, If next 4 matches of Pakistan get rained out. And Pakistan only Beats Bangladesh And Afghanistan, they can still make it into the Semi finals with 11 Points

 

[The_Odd_One]

If Fakhar and Imam can survive the first 10 overs against Starc and Cummins then it can be anyone's game.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Pakistan can win no doubt, but this will be the toughest group game for us among all 9, beating Australia in a World Cup hasn't been easy over the years, especially for Pakistan. It requires serious mental strength with no complacency at any point during the game to beat a team like Australia, their determination, focus, fighting spirit and comeback ability from any situation in few minutes is of the highest level. I hope our boys are up for it after that confidence boosting win against England and fight throughout the 100 overs.

Should be cracker of a game!!!

 

[Mamoon]

I think Australia are quite overrated because of the general perception that they raise their game in tournaments, which is not entirely true. Pakistan can certainly beat them.

 

[Rana]

With complete confidence and logic I believe Pakistan should beat Australia

 

[Ami]

Its raining all day...

 

[abhay]

Australia would beat both India and Pakistan

 

[Hasan123]

I think Australia are quite overrated because of the general perception that they raise their game in tournaments, which is not entirely true. Pakistan can certainly beat them.

Winning 4 out of 5 WCs is raising your games for tournaments. You say the Champions Trophy doesn't matter and you also talk about the law if averages . By the law of averages you cant win every tournament so obviously Australia will have some bad tournaments. The WC is the main tournament, and Australia are the best in this tournament in history.

 

[castortroy]

Australia have a better team and should beat pak. Aussies are one of the favourites for the tournament

 

[Mamoon]

Winning 4 out of 5 WCs is raising your games for tournaments. You say the Champions Trophy doesn't matter and you also talk about the law if averages . By the law of averages you cant win every tournament so obviously Australia will have some bad tournaments. The WC is the main tournament, and Australia are the best in this tournament in history.

The success of the invincible Australian team cannot be projected onto this Australian side. They have absolutely nothing in common with them.

Australia is the best team in World Cup history because they, along with West Indies, had the best team in World Cup history, and the success of their 2000s generation has nothing to do with the pre 2000s and post 2000s Australian team.

This current Australian side is quite a good one, but not the monsters some PPers are portraying them to be.

If Australia had the ability to somehow raise their game in tournaments, they would have at least won a WT20 in 6 attempts.

The only two instances where Australia have actually won a tournament when they were not the favorites were the 1987 and 1999 World Cups.

When they are not favorites, they are unlikely to win. Hence, I don’t think the notion that they have this magical ability to raise their game when it matters is justified or backed by history.

What they are quite good at is finding a way to win when they are favorites. So far, they haven’t lost a World Cup where they have been the pre-tournament favorites, so they definitely have to the ability to not crumble under pressure when they are better than other teams.

 

[Abdullah]

Score 350 again which we can do. We are the players to handle zampa , Maxwell and stoinis who have to bowl 20.

Even NCN. Babar is the key and needs to hold the innings together with imam through first 25 overs

 

[nextover666666]

I think Australia are quite overrated because of the general perception that they raise their game in tournaments, which is not entirely true. Pakistan can certainly beat them.

Agree with this

 

[Hasan123]

The success of the invincible Australian team cannot be projected onto this Australian side. They have absolutely nothing in common with them.

Australia is the best team in World Cup history because they, along with West Indies, had the best team in World Cup history, and the success of their 2000s generation has nothing to do with the pre 2000s and post 2000s Australian team.

This current Australian side is quite a good one, but not the monsters some PPers are portraying them to be.

If Australia had the ability to somehow raise their game in tournaments, they would have at least won a WT20 in 6 attempts.

The only two instances where Australia have actually won a tournament when they were not the favorites were the 1987 and 1999 World Cups.

When they are not favorites, they are unlikely to win. Hence, I don’t think the notion that they have this magical ability to raise their game when it matters is justified or backed by history.

What they are quite good at is finding a way to win when they are favorites. So far, they haven’t lost a World Cup where they have been the pre-tournament favorites, so they definitely have to the ability to not crumble under pressure when they are better than other teams.

You didn't answer the point. By the law of averages they cant win every tournament so it's unfair to judge them on a few failures when they have won 4 out 5 WCs.

Also those teams in the World T20s and a lot of those weren't in conditions where Australia do well. I think they will be the team to beat in next year's World T20

They have 4/5 world class players. They arent overrated . How many teams would have won in India chasing 364 when being 10-2 without 4 world class players lol? If that was England you would be singing their praises? But a team who has a few world class players who have won the WC already are overrated.

Fact is to win this WC, you will have to beat Australia in the knockout rounds.

 

[Mamoon]

You didn't answer the point. By the law of averages they cant win every tournament so it's unfair to judge them on a few failures when they have won 4 out 5 WCs.

Also those teams in the World T20s and a lot of those weren't in conditions where Australia do well. I think they will be the team to beat in next year's World T20

They have 4/5 world class players. They arent overrated . How many teams would have won in India chasing 364 when being 10-2 without 4 world class players lol? If that was England you would be singing their praises? But a team who has a few world class players who have won the WC already are overrated.

Fact is to win this WC, you will have to beat Australia in the knockout rounds.

What point? It is not about a few failures. They have literally failed to win every single tournament in which they have not been favourites (except two occasions), so I don't see how the statement that "they always bring their best to tournaments" is justified.

You are right that those WT20s were in conditions which didn't suit Australia, but that again proves that the notion that they bring their best in tournaments is a myth. A team that brings its best tournaments tends to overcome the odds of unfavourable conditions, but Australia haven't been able to do that.

They do have a few world class players, but they also have weak players. They are not better than India and England and probably on par with New Zealand. They do have players who won the World Cup in Australia 4 years ago, but they have also been poor in England, and in the 2017 Champions Trophy, they once again failed to bring their best to a tournament in which they were not favourites.

It is not a fact that you have to beat Australia in the knockouts to win this World Cup. It is an assumption heavily influenced by the aura that the legendary Australian side created in the past. If they do make the semifinals, which they should, then obviously you will have to beat them to win the World Cup, but same goes for the other three sides as well.

Can Australia win the World Cup? Yes, but they are not the favourites and they cannot be considered favourites because of the success of past Australian teams.

I would put them as third favourites after England and India.

 

[Hawkeye]

We can.

And can trap them with spin as well, contrary to what some people seem to think judging from IND series.

Playing Wahab and Imad however will mean a run-fest. Avoid these two in that match.

 

[AFM]

If rain does play a part, a shortened game might suit us.

 

[Hasan123]

What point? It is not about a few failures. They have literally failed to win every single tournament in which they have not been favourites (except two occasions), so I don't see how the statement that "they always bring their best to tournaments" is justified.

You are right that those WT20s were in conditions which didn't suit Australia, but that again proves that the notion that they bring their best in tournaments is a myth. A team that brings its best tournaments tends to overcome the odds of unfavourable conditions, but Australia haven't been able to do that.

They do have a few world class players, but they also have weak players. They are not better than India and England and probably on par with New Zealand. They do have players who won the World Cup in Australia 4 years ago, but they have also been poor in England, and in the 2017 Champions Trophy, they once again failed to bring their best to a tournament in which they were not favourites.

It is not a fact that you have to beat Australia in the knockouts to win this World Cup. It is an assumption heavily influenced by the aura that the legendary Australian side created in the past. If they do make the semifinals, which they should, then obviously you will have to beat them to win the World Cup, but same goes for the other three sides as well.

Can Australia win the World Cup? Yes, but they are not the favourites and they cannot be considered favourites because of the success of past Australian teams.

I would put them as third favourites after England and India.

You cant win every tournament. That is unfair to expect that on a team. How is winning 4 out of 5 WCs not a tournament team?

But if a team isn't expected to win the tournament why are you so harsh on them? Most of the time that they play at World T20s haven't even played together that bilaterals.

Which weak players do you think they have ? For English conditions I think they have a very good team. Also the last CT , they should have beaten Bangladesh. Against NZ rain affected that game a lot. So who knows what would have happened had we had a full game ?


No one is considering them a team because of the previous strong teams. When they have world class players in form and they have been on a good run , that's why they are considered a favourite for the tournament.

 

[ExplicitAI]

The thing with Aussies is that they're the type of team that will sniff blood if you let them, then they'll kerb stomp you and rub your face in the dirt; they don't show any form of sympathy and will literally do anything to win a game. People will say law of averages will have an effect on this game and how this Aus team is weaker than the ones in the past but they're still a good team. They will increase their effort levels if the opposition is leading the game, it's present in the likes of bowlers such as Pat Cummins who will try pepper you with some good balls to derail batting lineups. Also Pakistan isn't that good against leggies and Adam Zampa doesn't have the best stats around but we have a habit of turning mediocre opposition players into match winners. The key here is to realise that Fakhar murders spin bowlers so it's key that he stays in, also Imam needs to up his SR and not slow down. I wouldn't play Asif Ali here, I'd go with Imad Wasim as an extra spin bowling option who could potentially open cracks in the Aus batting lineup. VERY important that we play good attacking cricket.

 

[MRSN]

Rain forecast for whole day in Taunton.

Nope. Cloudy during day and shower at evening/night. Rain chances are 50%

 

[MRSN]

It's supposed to be a flat track so ideal pitch for Pakistan for such a crunch game. A must win game for us.

 

[Technics 1210]

The only two instances where Australia have actually won a tournament when they were not the favorites were the 1987 and 1999 World Cups.

When they are not favorites, they are unlikely to win. Hence, I don’t think the notion that they have this magical ability to raise their game when it matters is justified or backed by history.

So Australia fluked it to victory 87 and 99?

 

[Mamoon]

You cant win every tournament. That is unfair to expect that on a team. How is winning 4 out of 5 WCs not a tournament team?

But if a team isn't expected to win the tournament why are you so harsh on them? Most of the time that they play at World T20s haven't even played together that bilaterals.

Which weak players do you think they have ? For English conditions I think they have a very good team. Also the last CT , they should have beaten Bangladesh. Against NZ rain affected that game a lot. So who knows what would have happened had we had a full game ?


No one is considering them a team because of the previous strong teams. When they have world class players in form and they have been on a good run , that's why they are considered a favourite for the tournament.

This generation has nothing to do with the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups wins, so calling Australia a tournament team is misleading. Similarly, we cannot call West Indies a tournament team because of the successes of the previous West Indies teams.

This Australian side can go all the way in favourable conditions as they showed in 2015, but England have improved a lot and mauled them in Australia in 2017 and also demolished them in England last year. Australia were also poor in the Champions Trophy in England. Yes they had some bad luck but they were comprehensively thumped by England in a must-win game, so they only have themselves to blame.

It is perfectly fine to consider Australia as strong favourites because of the so and so players in the team, but to claim that they are favourites because Australia always rises to the occasion in tournaments and that you have to beat them to win the World Cup is misleading.

The reason why I think Australia is inferior to England and India is largely because of their top three. Warner is brilliant, but Finch and Khawaja are inferior to the top three of England and India. Both Finch and Khawaja have been in excellent form, but they are often susceptible to good bowling and go through prolonged slumps.

After Smith, the batting is shaky as well. Maxwell is a match-winner, but they have a weak underbelly because of Stoinis and Carey. In my view, they are short of another quality batsman at #5. Maxwell should be batting at #6. Handscomb is very good and he should have been in the squad.

 

[Mamoon]

So Australia fluked it to victory 87 and 99?

There was certainly a significant element of fluke in 1999. Donald pulled off the biggest individual choke in history of cricket. If only he had listened to Klusener's call instead of pulling off the mannequin challenge, Australia would have not made the final.

 

[adil79]

I hope rain will win, because i would love to have 1 point from here. This will be similar to we won against srilanka but lost against australia and then we would have only 3 games to win from next 5 matches, which is easier i think.

 

[Hasan123]

This generation has nothing to do with the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups wins, so calling Australia a tournament team is misleading. Similarly, we cannot call West Indies a tournament team because of the successes of the previous West Indies teams.

This Australian side can go all the way in favourable conditions as they showed in 2015, but England have improved a lot and mauled them in Australia in 2017 and also demolished them in England last year. Australia were also poor in the Champions Trophy in England. Yes they had some bad luck but they were comprehensively thumped by England in a must-win game, so they only have themselves to blame.

It is perfectly fine to consider Australia as strong favourites because of the so and so players in the team, but to claim that they are favourites because Australia always rises to the occasion in tournaments and that you have to beat them to win the World Cup is misleading.

The reason why I think Australia is inferior to England and India is largely because of their top three. Warner is brilliant, but Finch and Khawaja are inferior to the top three of England and India. Both Finch and Khawaja have been in excellent form, but they are often susceptible to good bowling and go through prolonged slumps.

After Smith, the batting is shaky as well. Maxwell is a match-winner, but they have a weak underbelly because of Stoinis and Carey. In my view, they are short of another quality batsman at #5. Maxwell should be batting at #6. Handscomb is very good and he should have been in the squad.

I wouldn’t read too much into that bilateral defeat. That wasn’t Australia’s 1st 11. I wouldn’t expect them to be heavily defeated by England on current form. Sure they could lose but it would be a close game.


Every team has weaknesses. It’s not like India’s middle order is strong, I think England also have issues dealing with spin which will be exploited the longer the tournament goes.

 

[QalandarFan]

In my mind the second toughest game for us behind India. However, expecting us to win this game as well. The only thing that can stop us is rain, and I swear it better stay away!

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Australia will lose tomorrow and when they play us they will be ruthless.

 

[PakLFC]

Pak will win it. I am confident about it after the win over England. Aussies will do India, I am an Aussie tomorrow.

 

[hitthestump]

Pakistan reserve batsmen handled the Australian attack very well during the whitewash series. With all of the major players back we should be competitive.

 

[topspin]

I wouldn’t read too much into that bilateral defeat. That wasn’t Australia’s 1st 11. I wouldn’t expect them to be heavily defeated by England on current form. Sure they could lose but it would be a close game.


Every team has weaknesses. It’s not like India’s middle order is strong, I think England also have issues dealing with spin which will be exploited the longer the tournament goes.

What never ceases to amaze me with Australia is their mental toughness and ability to keep calm under pressure. Their performance yesterday is a testament to that, when they were in all kinds of strife at 38/4. 95% of the time a team loses in that scenario but not Australia, they find a way because they're so well mentally conditioned to absorb pressure and subsequently bounce back.

This has been a theme of all Australia sides in the last 20 years and to reinforce this point in respect of this team, I believe they were the first team in 16 years to overcome a 2-0 deficit in a 5 match series when they beat India in their own backyard. Last time this happened was during Pakistan's home ODI series when they lost 3-2 against SA, after winning the first 2 x ODIs.

It comes to no surprise they find a way of winning when they've been written off during the contest. That knock from Hussey in the WT20 in 2010 is another notable example of this.

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] you're clutching at straws

 

[gazza619]

Pak will win it. I am confident about it after the win over England. Aussies will do India, I am an Aussie tomorrow.

Pakistan’s best chance to qualify for semis will be if India beats Australia tomorrow.

For me England and India are sure shot for semi finals.

The other two teams will be between WI, Aus, NZ & Pak.

So as much as you like to see India getting beaten, an Australia win will not be good news for Pakistan’s chances.

 

[Snowflake]

Aus team is overrated.

Also, I think the forecast has improved a little?

 

[Hasan123]

What never ceases to amaze me with Australia is their mental toughness and ability to keep calm under pressure. Their performance yesterday is a testament to that, when they were in all kinds of strife at 38/4. 95% of the time a team loses in that scenario but not Australia, they find a way because they're so well mentally conditioned to absorb pressure and subsequently bounce back.

This has been a theme of all Australia sides in the last 20 years and to reinforce this point in respect of this team, I believe they were the first team in 16 years to overcome a 2-0 deficit in a 5 match series when they beat India in their own backyard. Last time this happened was during Pakistan's home ODI series when they lost 3-2 against SA, after winning the first 2 x ODIs.

It comes to no surprise they find a way of winning when they've been written off during the contest. That knock from Hussey in the WT20 in 2010 is another notable example of this.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] you're clutching at straws

The reason for their mental strength is through a strong domestic system . The best face best week in and week out. Also playing on flat pitches helps them develop fast bowlers and their batters get plenty of batting practice on those pitches.


Mamoon talks about law of averages but he expects Australia to win every tournament which by the law of averages they cant. They turn up in WCs, they have failed in World T20s and champions trophys . But they still won the CT in 2006 and 2009 . They also got to the World T20 final in 2010 and semi in 2012. In 50 over tournamntes there record is very good.

 

[PakLFC]

Pakistan’s best chance to qualify for semis will be if India beats Australia tomorrow.

For me England and India are sure shot for semi finals.

The other two teams will be between WI, Aus, NZ & Pak.

So as much as you like to see India getting beaten, an Australia win will not be good news for Pakistan’s chances.

I am thinking that India be defeated by Aussies, Kiwis, England and us as well that should eliminate them from the tournament. Pak defeating the Aussies is the priority at the moment. Naturally I don't want India in the semi's at all.

 

[topspin]

The reason for their mental strength is through a strong domestic system . The best face best week in and week out. Also playing on flat pitches helps them develop fast bowlers and their batters get plenty of batting practice on those pitches.


Mamoon talks about law of averages but he expects Australia to win every tournament which by the law of averages they cant. They turn up in WCs, they have failed in World T20s and champions trophys . But they still won the CT in 2006 and 2009 . They also got to the World T20 final in 2010 and semi in 2012. In 50 over tournamntes there record is very good.

Indeed and I think their sledging culture makes them tougher and more competitive. Also I think Australia produces the best coaches in cricket as well.

Unlike in Pakistan, their ex-players are genuine role models who keep close with the current crop of players to aid their development.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Australia batting is hit and miss, they will still be reeling from their last series against India

India always see Australia as their biggest match in terms of pure cricket acumen going back to the times of dada and all the times vvs laxman managed to save them from imminent defeat

Which means Australia will be done and dusted and ready for Pakistan to jump on top of and pounce on top of their tail come Wednesday after they lose their early tournament invincibility

 

[gazza619]

I am thinking that India be defeated by Aussies, Kiwis, England and us as well that should eliminate them from the tournament. Pak defeating the Aussies is the priority at the moment. Naturally I don't want India in the semi's at all.

Well I guess you never know. Cricket is a funny game and this is one long hard tournament.

If you look at it, no team has confirmed a semi final spot yet and it is still wide open.

 

[Hasan123]

Indeed and I think their sledging culture makes them tougher and more competitive. Also I think Australia produces the best coaches in cricket as well.

Unlike in Pakistan, their ex-players are genuine role models who keep close with the current crop of players to aid their development.

They have produced many excellent batting coaches. Ponting and Langer are top coaches right now.

 

[Ab Fan]

Under-estimate Australia at your peril!

I am not sure about their matches against India, England and Pakistan but they will definitely beat NZ, SA and rest of the other teams of the tournament.

 

[Ab Fan]

Btw, what is WC record for Pakistan vs Australia?

 

[Syed1]

Too early to say. Assess how they fare against India.


I'm confident we can trap them with spin.

 

[babajee]

Pakistan.

 

[Chokli]

Hopefully this match doesn't get Abhinandan

 

[Abdullah719]

Btw, what is WC record for Pakistan vs Australia?

Pakistan 4 wins, Australia 5 wins.

 

[Slim]

Going to be a tough match, 50/50.

 

[Heisenberg111]

Btw, what is WC record for Pakistan vs Australia?

5-4 in favor of Oz.

 

[Heisenberg111]

5-4 in favor of Oz.

Pakistan's all 4 wins in WC's against Oz have been in group matches.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

There was certainly a significant element of fluke in 1999. Donald pulled off the biggest individual choke in history of cricket. If only he had listened to Klusener's call instead of pulling off the mannequin challenge, Australia would have not made the final.

OT but do you think Pakistan could have won the tournament if it was South Africa instead of Australia in the final?

 

[aloo paratha]

I wouldn’t read too much into that bilateral defeat. That wasn’t Australia’s 1st 11. I wouldn’t expect them to be heavily defeated by England on current form. Sure they could lose but it would be a close game.


Every team has weaknesses. It’s not like India’s middle order is strong, I think England also have issues dealing with spin which will be exploited the longer the tournament goes.

They got destroyed with their first XI in 2018 against England. Cummins, Starc, Smith, Warner were all there. You overrate Australia a lot, they are good, but not close to England or India. They almost lost to WI just 2 days ago.

 

[Chokli]

OT but do you think Pakistan could have won the tournament if it was South Africa instead of Australia in the final?

Nope, Wasim was still the captain

 

[The Viper]

Pakistan must be conservative against Cummins and Starc with the new ball. Imam will have an important role. Zampa is pretty good but still should be targeted considering Hafeez and Sarfaraz prefer spin. Also target the rest. It is easier said than done, but We can not afford to be down for two early on as that exposes Hafeez to Starc early.

 

[Heisenberg111]

They got destroyed with their first XI in 2018 against England. Cummins, Starc, Smith, Warner were all there. You overrate Australia a lot, they are good, but not close to England or India. They almost lost to WI just 2 days ago.

India lost to Aus at home after leading 2-0 in the series, so I am not sure how Oz aren't even close to India,lol

 

[Heisenberg111]

OT but do you think Pakistan could have won the tournament if it was South Africa instead of Australia in the final?

If fixer Wasim wasn't there, Oz would have been beaten too.

 

[dhump]

Logically if not rain then Australia.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This generation has nothing to do with the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups wins, so calling Australia a tournament team is misleading. Similarly, we cannot call West Indies a tournament team because of the successes of the previous West Indies teams.

This Australian side can go all the way in favourable conditions as they showed in 2015, but England have improved a lot and mauled them in Australia in 2017 and also demolished them in England last year. Australia were also poor in the Champions Trophy in England. Yes they had some bad luck but they were comprehensively thumped by England in a must-win game, so they only have themselves to blame.

It is perfectly fine to consider Australia as strong favourites because of the so and so players in the team, but to claim that they are favourites because Australia always rises to the occasion in tournaments and that you have to beat them to win the World Cup is misleading.

The reason why I think Australia is inferior to England and India is largely because of their top three. Warner is brilliant, but Finch and Khawaja are inferior to the top three of England and India. Both Finch and Khawaja have been in excellent form, but they are often susceptible to good bowling and go through prolonged slumps.

After Smith, the batting is shaky as well. Maxwell is a match-winner, but they have a weak underbelly because of Stoinis and Carey. In my view, they are short of another quality batsman at #5. Maxwell should be batting at #6. Handscomb is very good and he should have been in the squad.

Just 3 losses in 3 World Cups is still impressive. Only India have fewer losses (2).

 

[shariqnoor]

Australia. Maxwell will be the xfactor and Pakistan generally has trouble getting Smith out. Also can't see how Pakistani batsmen will play Starcs 150kph Yorkers. However upsets can happen. Looking forward to one.

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Im confident of pakistan beating Australia. Just hope india do hs a favour and beat Aus aswell

 

[MenInG]

Hopeful for Pakistan - but then no shame in losing to Australia who are looking and playing like champions

 

[Mamoon]

OT but do you think Pakistan could have won the tournament if it was South Africa instead of Australia in the final?

The general perception in Pakistan is that the final was fixed. While there is no doubt that the team had some very shady characters, I think it is a coping mechanism because people cannot come to terms with the meltdown that we suffered. I really don't see any bunch of players throwing away a World Cup Final.

Pakistan lost 50% of the game when Wasim opted to bat first in those conditions. Pakistan had a weak batting lineup that was heavily reliant on Saeed Anwar and Inzamam, and Wasim should have backed his bowling strength to restrict Australia to 220-250 in those conditions which would have made the game considerably closer.

Had we faced South Africa and opted to bat first, I don't think our fortunes would have been any better against Donald, Pollock and Klusener.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Rain will win.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

What point? It is not about a few failures. They have literally failed to win every single tournament in which they have not been favourites (except two occasions), so I don't see how the statement that "they always bring their best to tournaments" is justified.

You are right that those WT20s were in conditions which didn't suit Australia, but that again proves that the notion that they bring their best in tournaments is a myth. A team that brings its best tournaments tends to overcome the odds of unfavourable conditions, but Australia haven't been able to do that.

They do have a few world class players, but they also have weak players. They are not better than India and England and probably on par with New Zealand. They do have players who won the World Cup in Australia 4 years ago, but they have also been poor in England, and in the 2017 Champions Trophy, they once again failed to bring their best to a tournament in which they were not favourites.

It is not a fact that you have to beat Australia in the knockouts to win this World Cup. It is an assumption heavily influenced by the aura that the legendary Australian side created in the past. If they do make the semifinals, which they should, then obviously you will have to beat them to win the World Cup, but same goes for the other three sides as well.

Can Australia win the World Cup? Yes, but they are not the favourites and they cannot be considered favourites because of the success of past Australian teams.

I would put them as third favourites after England and India.

Strawman argument.

87 and 99 according to you were flukes.

2003 and 2007 they had the best team.

2011 they missed.

2015 they again were the best team according to you.

The problem is since 98 to 2019 in 20 years they have won possible 4 out of 5 World Cups. Now you are trying to downplay it by saying they are favorites for most of them.

That doesn't make sense.

In last 20 years IF ENGLAND or ANY OTHER TEAM had won 4 out of 5 World Cups you would have been exuding and lauding their ability to absorb pressure and win major tournaments.

Now since its Australia, you are trying to find faults by comparing ridiculous World T20 events which Australia doesn't even take seriously and Champions Trophy which has been won by even West Indies as an underdog ( a testament to its fluid nature and lack of application by most teams).

Winning 4 World Cups out of 5 would be equivalent to Germany or Spain winning 4 Fifa World Cups in last 20 years despite being heavy favorites.

Do you really think you would be able to say Ah heck, Germany isn't that good of a team, but they won 4 out of 5 cause they were mostly favorites all the time.

I disagree with you completely and I think you are acting partisan to other teams because you personally don't like the Australian team.