Adelaide, March 21: Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who quit the game after his team was knocked out of the World Cup by Australia here on Friday, said India will be the favourites against the hosts in the semifinal in Sydney because of its spin-friendly conditions.
; 10 facts about India-Australia SF match" />Semi-final Schedule; 10 facts about India-Australia SF match
India and Australia will lock horns at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the second semi-final of the World Cup on March 26.
Misbah, whose team lost to Australia by six wickets in the quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval, said Australia will miss a quality spinner in the big clash with India. Misbah, 40, said spinners have succeeded in Sydney and South Africa's Imran Tahir had just proved that (against Sri Lanka in the quarters). The Proteas skittled out Sri Lanka for just 133 at the SCG with Tahir and JP Duminy sharing 7 wickets between them.
Veteran Pakistani players Misbah & Afridi quit ODI after the Australia game
However, apart from that bowler-dominated game, it is the bat which has prevailed in the other games played in Sydney. In the group stages, while Australia amassed 376 runs against Sri Lanka, South Africa had piled up 408 runs against the West Indies.
Australian captain Michale Clarke, however, negated Misbah's views saying Sydney's wicket will not assist spin much. He, however, admitted that India were playing very well in the World Cup and their long stay in Australia has helped them adjust to the conditions as well.
Oneindia News