New Delhi:
The ICC cricket World cup has reached the quarterfinal stages and for the first time in the history of the event, four top Asian teams have qualified for the knockouts.
The Asian teams are looking in sublime form in the mega event. The Indian team and Sri Lankan team have qualified for the knockouts easily, however Bangladesh and Pakistan had to toil had to claim their respective spots.The knockout stage will begin on Wednesday when Mathews-led Lankan team will face South Africa at the SCG.
Kumar Sangakkara, playing his last World Cup is in form of his lifetime. The veteran left hander has scored four centuries on the trot, a first in the 50-over format.
The second quarters will be an Asian affair as the defending champions India will face their south Asian neighbours Bangladesh at 90,000 seated MCG on Thursday. The Men in Blue are on a role and haven’t lost a single match in the tournament yet. MS Dhoni’s boys have mauled teams like South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan in their group matches.
Spirited Bangladesh also knocked out England to claim the spot in pool A featuring Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Scotland. It will be the second time for the Bangla tigers to qualify beyond the group stages in World Cup.
On the hand, Pakistan had a bad start to the tournament losing both their opening tie against India and West Indies respectively. They will face four-time champions Australia at Adelaide Oval on Friday. They had a bumpy World Cup so far but they can be a dangerous side on a given day.
