Confident Pak take on Aussies today

On a high after some good performances in the recent past, Pakistan will take on world champions Australia in the final league engagement of the tri-series here tomorrow hoping to keep their winning momentum going.

With India virtually out of contention for a final berth after their opening game defeat to Pakistan, the Saturday summit clash will see Pakistan and Australia fight for supremacy yet again in this lead-up tournament to the Champions Trophy. Indian can sneak into the final only if Australia lose badly to Pakistan. But for that to happen, Pakistan would have to beat Australia by a very huge margin — something nearly next to impossible considering the sheer quality of the world champions. Even if the tie is a wash-out, India would be left in the lurch on the basis of points.

Pakistan are on top of the pool with six points while India and Australia have three points each from the rain-abandoned match yesterday. Pakistan are assured of a place in the final and India’s best chances rest on Australia losing by a huge margin. On the net run-rate issue, Pakistan are top of the heap with plus two against their name. Indians are minus two and Australia, because of the abandoned game, have not got any run-rate in their block.

Pakistan could do India a favour but Australians now have an idea of the batting conditions at the VRA ground where the ball tends to spin abnormally. It is also too slow a wicket for the batsmen to time their shots.