Cricket World Cup: Misbah applies quiet pressure on hosts

Pakistan captian Misbah-ul-Haq was typically soft-spoken after his side booked a spot in the knockout phase. Photo / NZME.

Australia's World Cup quarter-final against Pakistan doesn't start until Friday, but the verbal battle has already begun.

The opening salvo didn't come from David Warner or any of his teammates, but Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

Misbah was typically soft-spoken after his side booked a spot in the knockout phase with a seven-wicket win over Ireland at Adelaide Oval.

The exception was when the 40-year-old made an effort to declare where the weight of expectation laid.

"They are the favourites. They are playing in their own conditions, so the pressure will be on them," Misbah said. "It's always difficult, especially if you are playing against a team which is having no pressure.

"We have nothing to lose.

"Of course we can beat Australia, why not?

"One good spell, one good innings could change the course of a game. We've got those sort of bowlers, we've got some sort of players that could just do it for Pakistan."

Pakistan were beaten 3-0 in their one-day series against Australia last October in the United Arab Emirates, but dominated the tourists in the following two-test series.

"Yeah, that's another different thing. But it's a totally different ball game," Misbah said, when asked if his team would draw confidence from the red-ball wallopings they dished out.

Towering paceman Mohammad Irfan, who missed the clash with Ireland because of a quad injury, could also be back for Pakistan.

"We are hopeful that he will be OK for the quarter-final," Misbah said.

Ireland captain William Porterfield suggested Pakistan were "definitely" capable of knocking off title favourites Australia.

"Pakistan have won four in a row now, so they've got a bit of momentum. They've got confidence," Porterfield said.

- AAP

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