Pakistan likely to stick with winning combination: first quarter-final today

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi indicated on Tuesday he would retain the side who defeated Australia in the World Cup group stages for Wednesday's quarter-final against West Indies. Pakistan took the field for the Australia match without fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and opened the bowling with left-armour Abdur Rehman as the defending champions were beaten for the first time at a World Cup since 1999.
"We want to go with the winning combination. We will see, but I think we are happy with this winning combination," Afridi told a news conference. Afridi said the victory over Australia had given the 1992 champions a welcome confidence boost before the knockout stages. "We worked hard before this World Cup. We are taking the practice sessions very seriously," he said.
Afridi paid tribute to his bowlers, signalling out pace bowler Umar Gul for particular praise. "He was struggling a little bit with his ankle before but I think he is 100 percent fit," Afridi said. "He is doing a great job with the ball, especially with the new ball."