Key men
Australia
Mitchell Johnson
One Mitchell has overshadowed the other, but Johnson feels like a bomb waiting to explode. He has had good spells and poor ones so far but, if Pakistan can subdue Starc, then Johnson must up his game against an always flimsy batting order.
Glenn Maxwell You can see Pakistan’s pace attack getting top-order wickets, especially if they manage to extract a little swing. But when both balls are a little older and softer, then the onus will be on Maxwell to come good lower down. He has done well here but usually when Australia have been in a strong position anyway.
Pakistan
Rahat Ali
Of the quartet of fast bowlers, the most unsung has been Rahat. He had hardly played ODI cricket before the tournament but here he has buzzed the ball around with real vibrancy. If he gets swing early on, he could trouble Australia’s top order.
Ahmed Shehzad
He is the most complete opener that Pakistan have had in years. But he is having a poor World Cup. He has hit some semblance of form, albeit against weaker bowlers, but Pakistan’s batting strategy revolves around him: get in, bat long and let others build around.
Australia will win if ...
They play the way they are expected to, and each player performs to his capabilities. Man for man they are a stronger side than Pakistan. On recent form they are a better side and they whitewashed Pakistan in the one-day international series in the UAE recently. They play modern ODI cricket, of a kind Pakistan just cannot.
Pakistan will win if ...
They bat first. Then, somehow, they put up an old-fashion reasonable ODI total, somewhere between 250-270. And then they let their fast bowlers loose under the lights, and even then their fast bowlers will need to be at the very top of their game. So too will their fielders. In other words, Pakistan will have to hit their maximum capability.
Key numbers
1
The number of wins Pakistan have over Australia in Australia in their last 17 matches in all formats. The one win was in 2005, in an ODI.
13
The number of catches that Pakistan dropped through the group stages, the most of any side.
13.8
The average number of balls after which Australia’s Mitchell Starc has taken a wicket in the tournament so far.
Pitch
Adelaide has looked like a batting paradise in the matches it has staged so far but it has not always turned out that way. Fast bowlers have extracted a little swing early on, and a bit of reverse later as well. India’s 300 against Pakistan remains the highest score at the ground in the tournament, on the lower end compared to some other venues.
Our verdict
Australia should be too strong for Pakistan. All-round they are a stronger side and home support will help. The kind of run Pakistan are in at the moment, however, puts the result into more than a bit of doubt. A Pakistan win is not inconceivable but an Australian win is the expectation.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come
Roll of Honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
Fixtures
Friday
West Asia Cup final
5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy final
3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles
Friday, April 13
UAE Premiership final
5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
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Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
if you go
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Poacher
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
'Hocus%20Pocus%202'
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.