The group stage is now finished and following some well contested matches with some upsets and happy results for some teams and their players. The quarterfinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup is set to get underway this week with four very good match ups.
The most highly anticipated is the Sri Lanka vs South Africa clash. This is expected to be a thrilling contest between two inform teams, playing some very attractive cricket.
Both teams have a lot playing for, heading into this contest, with South Africa third and Sri Lanka in the One Day International team rankings after the group stage. This match may be the closest contest of the quarter finals matches and the winner of the tournament could even come from this match which is set to play Tuesday March 17, at 10:30 PM local time. Sri Lanka is fancied to win this contest.
Bangladesh vs India is the second quarterfinal match and will be played on Wednesday March 18, at 10:30 PM.
Bangladesh have done their bit to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in history and will have to know they have a mighty opponent in India to come up against. Bangladesh has shown a good attitude, even when playing against much stronger opponents. India has been playing some good all round cricket and is easily the favorites to win this encounter. I expect a comfortable win for India.
Thirdly Australia goes up against Pakistan. This match is also expecting to be a cracker although the Australians are the favorites to win this World Cup for some people. Pakistan is expected to give the Aussies a fair challenge after showing that they are improving game by game. Australia have been playing good cricket and have only lost one match in the group stage to New Zealand. The match is schedule for Wednesday March 19, at 10:30 PM. I pick Australia to win this one
The final quarterfinal match will see New Zealand take on West Indies in what is expected to be a thriller. The match is set to get under the way on March 20, at 8:00 PM. New Zealand in most people’s opinion, should win this match easily but not for me. It was be said that Kiwis are playing some good cricket and have won all their matches in the group stage impressively. They have been playing good all-round cricket have looked the best in the competition thus far.
However, the West Indies who are not playing to their full potential, have had mixed results in the group stage and have scraped their way into the knockout stage. West Indies who have not yet performed to their best ability is more known to do so at the knockout stages of competitions. They have players who are match winners and can hurt any team in the world on their day. This should be a good match to watch and the bravest and less nervous team would prevail. I will go with the West Indies to clinch this one.
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