Pakistan's over the West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarterfinals was made even more special by the fact that Pakistan could face India in a semi final clash that could be 'the World Cup match'. However, could Pakistan's challenge serve as motivation or more pressure for the Indian team gearing up to face Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011?
pakistan cricket team huddle
Although the Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi, does not want the team to get ahead of themselves and think about winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 ahead, there is every danger that that ultimately winning the World Cup could be lost momentarily should Pakistan get their date against India instead of Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi finals.
For Pakistan, the win against the West Indies was almost too easy, leaving them not saying it but knowing they are contemplating it as well. The outcome of the India v Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarterfinal match will decide who plays Pakistan in a week's time in the semi finals.
On the one hand, Pakistan would be more than happy to play Australia at this stage because their confidence is sky high and they beat Australia in their only encounter in the league stage in Group A. That alone will help any nerves to settle for the key clash, the second of the knockout rounds en route to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
But for a tournament, an India v Pakistan match can overshadow the entire tournament itself. Pakistan would not want to go into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final thinking that they have been tested and prevailed over their most rambunctious relationship with their neighbours. In that the India v Pakistan will stir performances both sides of the borders, which is why perhaps Pakistan are teasing India to make the semi finals to face them.
The Pakistan cricket team is being careful and not sounding the war cry yet. But it was on the tip of every cricketer's tongue last night, knowing that perhaps the best battle was yet to come, and the opportunity was too good to miss up.
It is hard to see the Pakistan cricket team glued to their television sets for the Ind v Aus encounter, but certainly in their heart, they will have already picked their choice of opponent. The fans will have certainly picked theirs, though it may not suit Ricky Ponting's designs.
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