28 days and 42 matches later, eight teams stand tall, some more than others. This is where the ultimate test begins. Who can hold their nerves for hundred overs, in a game with countless variables, that is played in the mind as much as it is on the field? Let's find out.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Sydney - A, B, K, S is the new alphabet:
The most evenly matched clash of the quarter-finals. There is very little separating these two teams based on their performance in the tournament, or even their overall head to head record, which is 29-28 in favour of Sri Lanka. Both teams had stuttering starts to their cup campaigns, then looked in supreme form, then suffered a loss each, and finally finished the group stage on a high.
This could very well be a clash of superman AB de Villiers and super centurion Kumara Sangakkara, but as we saw in South Africa's game against Pakistan and Sri Lanka's encounter with hosts Australia, even brilliant performances by these two superstars cannot win games if the rest of the team doesn't perform.
While Sri Lanka losing to the mighty Aussies was an expected result, South Africa's defeat at the hands of a struggling Pakistan team was a shocker, showing once again, how vulnerable the Proteas are while chasing in big tournaments. The fact that their record in world cup knockout games reads 0/5 since they first played the tournament in 1992 shows that there is a very good reason why the 'chokers' tag has been attached to them for so long.
If I have to pick one of these two teams, I'd say that Sri Lanka have the upper hand, because of their ability to handle pressure in big matches, even while chasing totals (their record in world cup knockout games - 6/9). South Africa, on the other hand, only have a real shot if they bat first and score in excess of 300.
India vs Bangladesh, Melbourne - Tigers vs Cubs:
Indian fans could not have asked for a better opposition in the quarter-finals, for an Asian team that has never played a world cup knockout game, and is still not considered to be at par with the major teams, is the perfect team for India to face in a knockout match.
But remember, remember, when India got dismembered by Bangladesh in the 2007 world cup. Also keep in mind that Zimbabwe made India fight hard for a win in their last group stage game, which just goes to show that in the conditions one finds outside Asia, India cannot afford to take any team lightly. Bangladesh have a good pace attack, and spinners that specialise in stifling batsmen until they make mistakes.
The toss will be very crucial, as India have looked commanding while batting first, and the only two times that Bangladesh gave major teams a tough fight were when they batted first. If however, India bowl first, they need to make sure that they restrict Bangladesh to under 250 runs, for chasing is not easy at the MCG.
India need to play well in this match, but they're still overwhelming favourites to win it.
Australia vs Pakistan, Adelaide - A Starc difference:
This match is being labelled 'the clash of the left arm pacers,' with as many as six of them likely to play. But it will be more a game of the toss, as Pakistan have absolutely no chance of chasing anything over 250 against Australia. While it may be argued that Pakistan could bowl Australia out for a small total like New Zealand did, this is unlikely on a flat Adelaide pitch. It must also be kept in mind that New Zealand won that match by the skin of their teeth.
If Pakistan have any chance in this match, it lies in the best kept secret of this world cup - the weakness in the Australian batting line-up. Australia bat deep, and boast of incredible talents like Warner, Smith, and Clarke, but a team in which Glenn Maxwell is the most consistent performer has something to worry about when they face a good bowling attack.
None of the other Australian batsmen have displayed the kind of consistency that one would expect from a side that is the favourite to win the world cup. The Aussies have counted more on quick-fire cameos, especially at the end of an innings, and they can be in for quite a test when they face the likes of Irfan, Riaz, Sohail Khan, and Afridi.
Having said all this, Australia are the clear favourites to win this match.
New Zealand vs West Indies, Wellington - A Boult of lightning, a gust of Windies:
This match may very well see the biggest margin of victory among the quarter-finals. Barring the last game against Bangladesh, the Kiwis have demolished the weaker teams while playing at home, while the Windies' so called 'unpredictability' generally means huge wins against weak teams and equally huge losses against strong teams.
Honestly, I don't see any way for the West Indies to win this match. Only a once in a blue moon coming together of good performances with both bat and ball could make them a threat to the Kiwis. Batting first has been risky in New Zealand in the tournament so far, especially against New Zealand. On the other hand, there is no way that West Indies can handle the pressure of chasing a big total in a knockout game. Their only hope is to bowl first and knock New Zealand over for around 150, and then keep their heads.
That is a huge ask, so I say that this will be a fairly easy victory for New Zealand.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Sydney - A, B, K, S is the new alphabet:
vs
The most evenly matched clash of the quarter-finals. There is very little separating these two teams based on their performance in the tournament, or even their overall head to head record, which is 29-28 in favour of Sri Lanka. Both teams had stuttering starts to their cup campaigns, then looked in supreme form, then suffered a loss each, and finally finished the group stage on a high.
This could very well be a clash of superman AB de Villiers and super centurion Kumara Sangakkara, but as we saw in South Africa's game against Pakistan and Sri Lanka's encounter with hosts Australia, even brilliant performances by these two superstars cannot win games if the rest of the team doesn't perform.
While Sri Lanka losing to the mighty Aussies was an expected result, South Africa's defeat at the hands of a struggling Pakistan team was a shocker, showing once again, how vulnerable the Proteas are while chasing in big tournaments. The fact that their record in world cup knockout games reads 0/5 since they first played the tournament in 1992 shows that there is a very good reason why the 'chokers' tag has been attached to them for so long.
If I have to pick one of these two teams, I'd say that Sri Lanka have the upper hand, because of their ability to handle pressure in big matches, even while chasing totals (their record in world cup knockout games - 6/9). South Africa, on the other hand, only have a real shot if they bat first and score in excess of 300.
India vs Bangladesh, Melbourne - Tigers vs Cubs:
vs
Indian fans could not have asked for a better opposition in the quarter-finals, for an Asian team that has never played a world cup knockout game, and is still not considered to be at par with the major teams, is the perfect team for India to face in a knockout match.
But remember, remember, when India got dismembered by Bangladesh in the 2007 world cup. Also keep in mind that Zimbabwe made India fight hard for a win in their last group stage game, which just goes to show that in the conditions one finds outside Asia, India cannot afford to take any team lightly. Bangladesh have a good pace attack, and spinners that specialise in stifling batsmen until they make mistakes.
The toss will be very crucial, as India have looked commanding while batting first, and the only two times that Bangladesh gave major teams a tough fight were when they batted first. If however, India bowl first, they need to make sure that they restrict Bangladesh to under 250 runs, for chasing is not easy at the MCG.
India need to play well in this match, but they're still overwhelming favourites to win it.
Australia vs Pakistan, Adelaide - A Starc difference:
vs
This match is being labelled 'the clash of the left arm pacers,' with as many as six of them likely to play. But it will be more a game of the toss, as Pakistan have absolutely no chance of chasing anything over 250 against Australia. While it may be argued that Pakistan could bowl Australia out for a small total like New Zealand did, this is unlikely on a flat Adelaide pitch. It must also be kept in mind that New Zealand won that match by the skin of their teeth.
If Pakistan have any chance in this match, it lies in the best kept secret of this world cup - the weakness in the Australian batting line-up. Australia bat deep, and boast of incredible talents like Warner, Smith, and Clarke, but a team in which Glenn Maxwell is the most consistent performer has something to worry about when they face a good bowling attack.
None of the other Australian batsmen have displayed the kind of consistency that one would expect from a side that is the favourite to win the world cup. The Aussies have counted more on quick-fire cameos, especially at the end of an innings, and they can be in for quite a test when they face the likes of Irfan, Riaz, Sohail Khan, and Afridi.
Having said all this, Australia are the clear favourites to win this match.
New Zealand vs West Indies, Wellington - A Boult of lightning, a gust of Windies:
vs
This match may very well see the biggest margin of victory among the quarter-finals. Barring the last game against Bangladesh, the Kiwis have demolished the weaker teams while playing at home, while the Windies' so called 'unpredictability' generally means huge wins against weak teams and equally huge losses against strong teams.
Honestly, I don't see any way for the West Indies to win this match. Only a once in a blue moon coming together of good performances with both bat and ball could make them a threat to the Kiwis. Batting first has been risky in New Zealand in the tournament so far, especially against New Zealand. On the other hand, there is no way that West Indies can handle the pressure of chasing a big total in a knockout game. Their only hope is to bowl first and knock New Zealand over for around 150, and then keep their heads.
That is a huge ask, so I say that this will be a fairly easy victory for New Zealand.
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