Misbah-ul-Haq: Australia will miss a quality spinner against India

Misbah-ul-Haq wears a dejected look after Pakistan lost to Australia

Adelaide, March 20 (IANS) Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said on Friday that Australia will miss the services of a quality spinner in their cricket World Cup semifinal clash against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on March 26.

Australia beat Pakistan by six wickets in a quarter-final match at the Adelaide Oval on Friday to set up the semi-final clash against India. Misbah also said countering the Indian spinners on the strip at the SCG can prove to be difficult for the Australian batsmen.

"I think playing in Sydney, they (Australia) would just miss a good spinner. That could be a difference there because what I've seen in the past games, spinners got really success on that pitch, and Imran Tahir got some wickets against England.

"So that could be a problem for Australia, and also playing against spin, they might just be in trouble there," Misbah said at the post-match media conference here.

Asked about his prediction on the match, the 40-year-old said it is going to be a tough match.

"I think both sides are really playing good cricket. It is going to be really a tough match. They're both in form, and India also got a chance because they are playing in Sydney, and the SCG pitch, everybody knows helps spinners but it will be a tough match," he reasoned.