Pakistan has finally managed to drag itself past the group stages and reach the quarter-finals of the ICC World Cup 2015… and what a ride it has been!

The last time Pakistan was expelled from the tournament during our first rounds was  in 2007. The same happened in 2003. Therefore, fans have been susceptible to Pakistan’s progress in this tournament. And losing the first two matches of the group stages did little to improve the team’s image.

However, they did recover soon from the initial blows and developed a better team combination – which led them to winning four consecutive matches and moving further in the tournament. Pakistan has traditionally been a slow-starter in any global tournament; however, this time, the slow start has cost them as Pakistan – by virtue of finishing third in their group – is now slated to play pre-tournament favourite Australia in the quarter finals.

An aura is prevailing in Australia among fans and critics that Australia’s victory in the quarter-finals is a foregone conclusion. Pakistan lacks the firepower needed to compete with the mighty Aussies in Friday’s quarter-final match; in fact, many believe that the match will be more of a formality for Australia. Withdrawal of ace fast bowler Muhammad Irfan from the World Cup squad due to his injury has given further credence to this thought.