Defeated Ponting backs India to beat Pakistan

by **Admin** Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:48 pm

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AHMEDABAD: Australia captain Ricky Ponting predicted India would beat Pakistan when the arch-rivals meet in the World Cup semi-finals after seeing the co-hosts end his team's 12-year run as champions.

Ponting made his first international century in over a year when Australia batted but it wasn't enough as India, thanks to an unbeaten 57 from Yuvraj Singh, won by five wickets after finishing on 261 for five with 14 balls to spare.

"If you look at their attacks, they're quite similar," said Ponting, who in Australia's preceding final group match saw Pakistan end the title-holders' 34-match unbeaten streak at the World Cup.

"Pakistan played the quicks against us, (Abdul) Razzaq and (Umar) Gul and (Wahab) Riaz played that game as well and he's done a pretty good job for them. They used a lot of their spin.

"How do I compare the bowling attacks? It's pretty hard to say, but I think India will beat Pakistan in the semi-final."

Ponting added of the March 30 clash in Mohali: "We all know how fierce a rivalry it is between Pakistan and India so I'm sure that's going to be a very entertaining semi-final.

"India have a got a great chance now. Their batting is very powerful and they bat quite deep." (AFP)