Cricket World Cup: Pakistan out to exploit lingering scars from the beating they gave Australia in UAE

AUSTRALIA admit there’s lingering scars from last October’s catastrophic Test tour of the UAE, and a confident Pakistan plan to exploit them.

Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed, jumps as he celebrates his hundred runs during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against Ireland in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, March 15, 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

AUSTRALIA admit there’s lingering scars from last October’s catastrophic Test tour of the UAE, and a confident Pakistan plan to exploit them.

Shane Watson on Tuesday pointed out Pakistan’s susceptibility to pressing the self-destruct button, but the last time the two teams met it was Australia who imploded in spectacular fashion.

Of course the rules will be different at Adelaide Oval on Friday night to what they were when Australia was comprehensively slaughtered in the two-Test series in the desert.

For a start this is one-day cricket, which Australia have consistently dominated over recent years, and spin won’t be a factor now Pakistan are the team in unfamiliar territory.

But the fact is World Cup upsets down under aren’t at all a foreign concept for the unpredictable Pakistanis.

Imran Khan’s 1992 team came from nowhere to claim the game’s biggest crown in an historic moment at the MCG.

This Pakistan team might not have the skill of their predecessors, but they have belief and there’s a feeling within the camp that they’ve built nicely through the tournament.

Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed – fresh from an unbeaten hundred against Ireland - says it’s Australia who are under the pump.

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“I think pressure is on Australia as they are playing on home grounds and before their home crowd so we’ll try to attack and play positive cricket,” he said.

“We always have tough contests with Australia. Our last Test series against them in the UAE was very competitive and we beat them after a competitive series in Tests.

“Confidence is there. We know they have a very good bowling attack, and we’ve done well against them in the UAE.”

Pakistan have suffered a blow to their attack though, with star fast bowler Mohammad Irfan ruled out of the World Cup with a stress fracture in his pelvis.

The giant seven-foot tall left-armer has been a crucial part of Pakistan’s run through the tournament so far, and the PCB say they will wait until after the knock-out quarter against Australia before considering a replacement.

Even though he has no role with the team, Imran Khan is still serving as a practical inspiration for the new generation of Pakistani cricketers.

“I remember that Imran had said that the Adelaide pitch is also good for Pakistan,” said Sarfraz.

“I think Australia will have some advantage, but the match will be even for us.”

A lot of water has passed under the bridge in Australian cricket since the ill-fated UAE tour.

But the sheer magnitude of the 221-run and 356-run defeats will linger in the minds of those who were there for some time to come.

At least until Australia get their next crack at conquering sub-continental type conditions.

Fielding coach and former Test star Greg Blewett admits it’s the coaching staff who have carried the heaviest burden.

“That was a long tour and feels a while ago now. But it’s really important for especially the coaching staff, when we’re faced with those conditions again we learn from that,” he said.

“Now the focus is all about the World Cup.

“Pakistan have had some success against us recently but I think our one-day form against all teams stands out.

“Over a long period of time Pakistan have been up and down with their cricket and that’s often spoken about in team meetings.

“They’ve got some explosive cricketers.

“You really never know what Pakistan team is going to turn up.”

Watson wasn’t in the UAE, but he agrees.

“They can play some incredible cricket … but they can also self-destruct quite quickly,” he said.

“That’s why Pakistan are so dangerous, especially in a knock-out game like this.

“This is a danger game for us.”