ADELAIDE – Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hoped his team's campaign in the World Cup and his one-day career do not get over as they sought to beat favourites and hosts Australia in the highly charged World Cup quarter-final in Adelaide on Friday.
That will be an enormous task for Team Pakistan as the odds are in favour of four-time champions and co-hosts but Pakistan's unpredictable nature and four consecutive wins after a poor start make them a threatening opponents.
Misbah said performance on the day will settle the balance.
"They (Australia) are favourites but there is no hard and fast rule that favourites always going to win the match. Its on the day the team which performs better, take their chance and have luck can reallyd defeat any team.
"We are positive and hopeful I think we got a bowling line up which can go through any lineup and we have a few good batsmen who are getting back into form and it will only be matter of putting a good show on the day and we are looking forward to that."
Misbah, 40, had announced he will quit one-day internationals after the World Cup but was not ready for it on Friday.
"Obviously this World Cup and my career is not over, we would really like to go good in this tournament and will be trying to win tomorrow'smatch and go further in this tournament and that’s what is the desire and dream and let’s see [how it goes].
"I want to play good cricket and put up my best."
Misbah said, his team’s objective is to win the title.
"Whe you have a goal of winning the World Cup then you don't take pressure of any match, you have to beat whatever the opposition on the way.”
Up against a formidable Australia, Pakistan will have to put up a good total against a potent Australian attack led by the lively Mitchel Starc, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 16, followed by Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins and James Faulkner.
"Australia is tough in home conditions and everyone is calling them favourites and if any other team beat them then it’s called an upset; so for us if we can do that then it’s very good for Pakistan cricket.
"I think four wins give you a lot of confidence as a playing unit, the mindset is good and the momentum is with us and this is the best time to play against such a good team because we are also in a good frame of mind."
Misbah showed confidence, his team can do well at Adelaide Oval where they have played two matches.
"When you are playing more games at a certain venue you tend to adapt to the conditions well , you know the dimensions are well and you are used to of that atmosphere and that can help you," said Misbah of the venue where they lost to India but went on to beat Ireland.
Misbah admitted losing Mohammad Irfan – the X-factor – was a big loss.
"Obviously he [Irfan] is a different kind of bowler and his loss is big but you have to manage things and we have some other bowlers who are also good, we got that kind of bowlers who can put Australia under pressure."
Australian captain said Pakistan's game would be a big challenge for his team.
"I think Pakistan have been underrated for a long time, especially in the shorter form of the game. I think they've got a lot of talent. I think their attack is very good and they've shown that throughout this series," said Clarke.
"I think they've got a good mix of youth and experience and their batting really well, and they're led well from Misbah. I think tomorrow will be a tough challenge for us, and I believe we have to be at our best to beat them."
Clarke declared Pakistan game will be treated like a "final."
"It's irrelevant who is favorite now. You have to play your best cricket. We're really focused on this game. We'll treat this like a World Cup final for us.
"It's a crucial game. Obviously, you lose, and you're sitting and watching the rest of the tournament, so we're focused on just making sure we can have success in this game here tomorrow."
