ADELAIDE: Australia captain Michael Clarke will approach Friday's World Cup quarter-final against Pakistan like a final, saying he expected a “tough challenge” from Misbah-ul-Haq's men in the make-or-break game.

Pakistan have lost nine of their last 10 one-dayers to Australia on Australian grounds, including all of the last seven, but Clarke refused to take victory for granted.

“I think Pakistan have been under-rated for a long time especially in the shorter form of the game,” Clarke told reporters at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

“They have got a lot of talent. Their attack is very good and they have got a good mix of youth and experience.

“It will be a tough challenge for us and I believe we have to be at our best to beat them. We'll treat this like a World Cup final.

“If you lose, you will be sitting and watching the rest of the tournament, so we are focused on just making sure we can have success in this game.”

Four-time champions Australia beat England in their opening match, had a rained-out no-result against Bangladesh and then lost by one wicket to co-hosts New Zealand after being bowled out for 151.

They then won their three remaining matches to live up to their billing as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

However, Clarke said the results of the league matches were irrelevant and the momentum gained through the tournament will count for little if the team lost a knock-out game.

“When you walk out on the field tomorrow it's a new day. We all start on zero with the bat and zero with the ball as well,” he said.

“What happened beforehand is irrelevant. It does not matter how well you have played earlier or what your plans are afterwards.

“It's about being 100 per cent focused and as well prepared as you can be; batting as well as you can, bowling as well as you can, and hopefully our fielding continues to be as good as it has been.”

Clarke expects the drop-in pitch at the Adelaide Oval, which sported a tinge of green on the eve of the match, to assist the battery of fast bowlers on both sides.

“I think the pitch has certainly gotten quicker over the years,” he said.

“The groundsman always does a great job here in Adelaide. It's a beautiful ground, and we are going to see another great wicket tomorrow.

“Fast bowling will play a big part in the match especially if they leave that grass on the wicket like there is now. Both teams have good fast bowlers.

“The batters will have to make sure we play really well. I think you'll definitely see a wonderful game tomorrow, hopefully an entertaining game.

“Either way it's going to be a challenge no matter what the scoreboard says.”

Australia will field three left-armers, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner, and either Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood, in a strong pace attack.

Pakistan, depleted by the absence of the injured Mohammad Irfan, have Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali and Sohail Khan to share the new ball with either leg-spinner Yasir Shah or seamer Ehsan Adil as the fourth frontline bowler.

Australia and Pakistan have won four games each in their eight World Cup meetings so far. Their last Cup encounter four years ago resulted in a four-wicket win for Pakistan in Colombo.

ADELAIDE: Defiant Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq refuses to accept that Friday's World Cup quarter-final against Australia could be his last one-day international.

“Obviously this World Cup and my career are still not over,” said Misbah.

The 40-year-old has already announced his intention to retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup as has star all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

“We would really like to go further in this tournament and will try our best to win tomorrow's match and that's what the desire and dream is, so let's see. I want to play good cricket and put in my best performance.”

Asked was he under pressure to avoid defeat as it could mean curtains for his one-day career, Misbah replied: “It's very simple — I will take it as game, a normal game.

“We want to do the basics right and if you think further than that you are putting yourselves under pressure and neither Shahid (Afridi) nor I will do that.”

Come what may on Friday, Misbah said he was satisfied with what he has achieved in his career.

“In fact whatever we have achieved, the biggest satisfaction is that we gave everything to our team, put our efforts together for the team and country and that gives you the biggest satisfaction,” said Misbah, who made his Test debut in New Zealand in 2001.

Misbah, who will continue to play Tests in the future, has scored 5,088 runs in 161 one-day internationals but has never made a hundred.

Misbah said he was optimistic that Pakistan have the talent to succeed after his retirement.

“Players like Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood will have to take Pakistan cricket forward and I am confident that they have the talent

“Often when young players play in the shadow of seniors they tend to get relaxed but when seniors leave the stage the youngsters must take responsibility and accept that challenge.”

‘Favourites don't always win’

Misbah fired the first salvo ahead of Friday's quarter-final, saying Australia will be favourites — but that “favourites don't always win”.

The odds are in favour of four-time champions and co-hosts Australia, but Pakistan's unpredictable nature and four consecutive wins after a poor start to the tournament make them threatening opponents.

“They (Australia) are favourites but there is no hard-and-fast rule that favourites are always going to win the match,” said Misbah.

“It's which team performs better on the day, takes their chances and have some luck, they can really defeat any team,” he added.

“We are positive and hopeful. I think we've got a bowling line-up which can go through any (batting) line-up.”

Misbah insisted his side were not daunted by playing Australia, saying teams that wanted to win the World Cup had to expect to face major opposition.

“When you have a goal of winning the World Cup, you have to beat any team on the way,” said Misbah, who admitted a Pakistan win on Friday would be regarded as an upset.

“Australia is tough in home conditions,” said Misbah of an Australian side who have only lost once to Pakistan in their last ten home matches.

Pakistan's most recent win against Australia in Australia came in Perth in 2005 and they have lost their last seven one-day internationals away to the Aussies.

“Everyone is calling them favourites and if any other team beat them then it's called an upset, so for us if we can do that then it's very good for Pakistan cricket as well,” said Misbah, who said his squad were in upbeat mood after a run of wins that included a victory over highly-fancied South Africa

“I think four straight wins gives you a lot of confidence as a playing unit, the mindset is good and the momentum is with us and this is the best time to play against such a good team because we are also in a good frame of mind,” said Misbah.

The Adelaide Oval is familiar territory for Pakistan, who lost their World Cup opener to defending champions India at the South Australia ground before defeating Ireland there in the pool phase.

“When you are playing more games at a certain venue you tend to adopt the conditions well,” said Misbah.

“You know the dimensions well, you are used to that atmosphere and that can help you,” the 40-year-old captain said.

The skipper said it was important his side did not take a backward step against Australia.

“Australia play aggressive cricket and if you want to be up against them, you also need to play good aggressive cricket.”

Misbah admitted losing giant paceman Mohammad Irfan to a tournament-ending hip injury had been a big loss.

“Obviously he is a different kind of bowler and his loss is big, but you have to manage things and you can't say that if he is out, we can't play.

“We have other good bowlers, the kind of bowlers who can put Australia under pressure.”