Six points to look out for in WC QF’s
Kumar Sangakkara vs South Africa bowling attack
If you are looking for consistency at the World Cup, look no further than Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara who, with four centuries in consecutive matches, certainly shows what the word really means.
After a quiet start to the global tournament, with low scores against New Zealand and Afghanistan, the 37 year-old kicked into gear, and then overdrive, when he struck hundreds against Bangladesh, England, Australia and Scotland to propel Sri Lanka into third place in their group and a match-up with the Proteas.
The Proteas though have a fearsome bowling attack, led by fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir is arguably one of the best slow bowlers at the tournament, and it just takes one good ball to dismiss even the most dangerous of batsman.
AB de Villers vs Lasith Malinga
De Villiers is undoubtedly a player that can play any shot that a batsman's textbook has to offer, but the South Africa captain does not always rely on the shots that the grandmasters of the game perfected over the years.
He has a gift that few has. He was torn up bowling attacks, and the batting textbook, to score some amazing centuries over his career with shots that just leave you gasping for air. He also holds the record for the fastest fifty, hundred and 150 in ODI cricket.
To counter the De Villiers threat, Sri Lanka will look to fast bowler Lasith Malinga. After missing four months of cricket before the tournament through injury, The man with the sling action slowly grew into the tournament and his ability to bowl yorkers, slower balls and bouncers is unparalleled in world cricket. His battle with AB should be fascinating.
Quinton De Kock
Opening batsman De Kock has been in terrible form at this World Cup, only scoring 53 runs in the six group matches. Calls have come from some media outlets to drop the 22 year-old, but De Villiers has already said the wicketkeeper will play.
The Proteas know that if he comes off, the left-hander could be the difference between the two sides as his explosiveness and ability to convert starts into big scores compliments the calmness of Hashim Amla at the top of the order.
Bangladesh middle-order
If Bangladesh are to cause a huge upset and topple India in their quarter-final clash, they would need their batting line-up, especially their middle-order, to fire.
The Tigers three best batsman sit in the engine room of the team, numbers four, five and six, which is currently occupied by Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Mahmudullah already has two hundreds in his last two matches, he will need to continue his good form and also hope that Shakib and Mushfiqur come to the party. All Bangladesh supporters around the world will be praying.
Australia batting line-up vs Pakistan pace attack
Pakistan start the match as heavy underdogs but know that they have a bowling attack to do the business for them against even the best batting line-ups.
They have already demonstrated what they are capable of when, defending a target of 232, they dismissed a powerful South Africa batting unit for just 202.
Australia's team is packed with players who like to hit the ball hard, and far, so this battle will go along way to determining who comes out on top.
Chris Gayle vs Tim Southee and Trent Boult
Co-hosts New Zealand start the match against the West Indies as over-whelming favourites but know that if there is one man that stands between them and a semi-final, it is Christopher Henry Gayle.
If Gayle gets going, he usually goes big. After coming in for some criticism about his form, the burly left-hander cracked a magnificent 215 against Zimbabwe in the group stages, the World Cup's first-ever double century.
Gayle missed the final group match against the UAE with a back injury, but the Windies camp is confident he will recover in time for Saturday's clash. Everyone in the Caribbean is holding their breath.
Boult and Southee were the best new-ball bowling attack on show during the group phase of the competition. One is right-handed the other is a left-handed. Both players swing the ball both ways and bowl at some serious pace. What more could you want.
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