The second semi-final of the ICC World T20 will be played between Australia and Pakistan at St. Lucia on Friday.

Australia (4/9 at Blue Square) have exhibited a clinical display of performance in the five games that they have played in so far, while Pakistan (43/20 at Sporting Bet) have only just scraped through to the semi-final through the back-door. And despite this, Pakistan’s record in such scenarios will make them a dangerous opposition.

All the departments have been taken care of by the Aussies, as the batting has forged together some brilliant innings. Barring Michael Clarke (13/2 at Boylesport), all the other batsmen have had a good work-out in the tournament so far, and that makes it difficult to predict about the top-scorer for the team. One gets the sense that given that the Pakistan spinners are going to play a crucial role in the game, the opening pair of Shane Watson (3/1 at Paddy Power) and Dave Warner (10/3 at Paddy Power, to be the best batsman for their side) could look to go after the Pakistan quick bowlers.

Amongst those down the order, it was David Hussey (7/1 at Totesport, to top-score for Australia), who had turned things around for the side in the last game that the two sides had played in. His ability to play the spinners well makes him a dangerous bat for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s batting has fluctuated between ordinary and average. The reason behind that could very well be their inability to have someone in the middle order who could send the ball the distance. It could be a difficult call to take but Misbah-ul-Haq (9/1 at Bet365) needs to be replaced, and mostly, by Hammad Azam (8/1 at 888Sport, both, to top-score for the side). Abdul Razzaq (16/1 at Bet Fred to be the best batsman for the side) also deserves to bat a little higher, but what would have warmed the Pakistani hearts would have been the batting of the Akmal brothers against South Africa.

Kamran Akmal (7/2 at Bet365) has been the only other batsman, apart from Salman Butt (7/2 at Bet365, both, to top-score for their side), who has made his batting count. Umar Akmal (5/1 at Stan James to be the best batsman), on the other hand, had flattered on many an occasion before the South Africa game, only to deceive, but that innings will give him a lot of confidence.

Tips:
Favourites: Australia (4/9 at Blue Square)
Top Australia batsman: David Hussey (7/1 at Totesport)
Top Pakistan batsman: Salman Butt (7/2 at Bet365)