Of the 14 teams, the best 8 have qualified for the Quarter Finals and the battle begins on Wednesday with South Africa and Sri Lanka locking horns with each other. The South Africans will be hoping to score a win this time. To ensure that the team lacks nowhere, the management has sought help from Mike Horn to help the players overcome the fear of uncertainty and do away with the ghosts of the past. Though, on paper, South Africans look better, but the Lankans are no bit less challenging. With return of Captain Angelo Mathews, superb form of Kumar Sangakara, and the other starting to get along they might be able to get better of South Africa. But, South Africans remain favourites.
India will meet Bangladesh in second quater finals
Followed by, a seemingly easy outing for, Indians taking on Bangladeshis; who have the potential to give the audience a run for their money. Indians who had a disgracing 2 months period of cricketing, have had a flawless tournament so far with 6-0 record till now. But they have been warned to beware of the slip off banana peel situation. On the other hand Bangladesh has had an up and down tournament with 7 points from 3 wins and 2 losses and a no result game which was washed out by rain. The Greens steal the show or the Men in Blue stamp their authority? The latter seems to be more probable.
Australia will face Pakistan in the last quater finals
This ought to be the most exciting one. Pakistan versus Australia. The most unpredictable team will see off against the favourites. The accuracy of Starc and Johnson will be eager to shake off Sarfaraz and Misbah’s determination. The Aussies have been known for their GO FOR THE KILL attitude in the knockout stages, but all are aware of the BOOM BOOM factor of Pakistani team. Though the scales of equality are leaning towards Australian side but it is in the nature of the game to be as unpredictable as the Pakistanis!
New Zealand may find it easy against West Indies
I wouldn’t be wrong if I term this match as the most unpredictable one. Strong New Zealand men will take on the tall West Indies men. Coming strong from the trouble with board, the team has seen a transformation in quite a few terms. Holder has led by example and the troop has responded very well. The Gayle-storm of 215 runs, which had crushed Zimbabwe, is still afresh in all memories. But on the other hand Brendon McCullum and his team’s performances cannot be neglected. The bowlers of both the side will have to work hard to get their teams across the line.
Given all that, considering the pitches, the bowlers will have to put in extra effort to extract something unusual out of the pitches. The umpires and the other officials will be under tremendous pressure for giving correct decisions; which might result in some unwanted errors. But remember, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.
