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London: After Sunday's humdinger at Headingley, the semifinal sequel between Australia and South Africa at Edgbaston tomorrow is creating as much excited expectancy as the World Cup final itself.

The anticipation is understandable but there is other, equally important business to be attended to first.

The other finalist will be decided at Old Trafford, in Manchester, today in a clash of fascinating and contrasting cricket cultures.

In the one corner, there is Pakistan, with its 130 million people, where the game has flourished in the spartan conditions of the Asian sub-continent to become a virtual religion in a strictly Islamic republic and where precocious young talent abounds in every town and village.

They would have been champions more than once, in 1992, but their brilliance has been consistently compromised by inconsistency.

This time, both at home and among their huge expatriate population here, expectations are for nothing less than the Cup itself.

In the other corner, there is New Zealand, two islands at the end of the world that have lived in the psychological and geographical shadow of Australia, its huge neighbour to the north.

To its population of less than four million, rugby is the sporting religion with which they have dominated the world.

Having also to contend with an unco-operative climate, it is a tribute to their resilience that their cricketers have been competitive through the years even though they have always had to contend with the title of outsiders – which is what they are again today.

Both teams have complied with their stereotypes through the tournament.

Pakistan, filled with exciting stars, strong in batting, perfectly balanced in bowling and under a respected captain, Wasim Akram, have seemed as invincible in some matches as they have been shambolic in others.

New Zealand, without an identifiable world-class individual, have steadily gone about their business, making the most of their ability with discipline and spirit.

Their big wins have been against Australia, that gave them immense satisfaction, and India, who had defeated Pakistan only a few days earlier.

They have changed their XI for only one match, against Scotland, and their two left-handers, fast bowler Geoff Allott and batsman Roger Twose, are among the most successful players in the tournament.

Allott's 20 wickets are a new Cup record; Twose's 272 runs place him third in the averages with 90.66.

No Pakistani features higher, not even Shoaib Ahktar whose electrifying speed has made him the most exciting individual in the tournament.

If both teams play to their capabilities, Pakistan will win, but their capacity to self-destruct, best illustrated by their erratic running between the wickets that has cost 13 dismissals already, is New Zealand's best chance.

Drier, warmer weather and the exclusive use of Test grounds with their better pitches have diminished the effectiveness of the new, white ball that dictated so many first round matches.

There were nine totals over 250, including one of 303 for four, and only one under 200 in the Super Sixes, and Akram, who knows Old Trafford well after several seasons with Lancashire, reckoned yesterday it would be a batsman's match.

That, he said, would give his team the advantage.

``I believe we have the strongest bowling of all the teams and once we get over 250, I'm confident we can defend it,'' he said.

``We have passed through our bad patch, like Australia did, and we're now ready for the Cup.''

They are likely to field the same XI who beat Zimbabwe at the Oval last Friday to secure a semifinal place.

They were anxious to have Yousaf Youhanna back to stiffen their middle order, as he did in the first round, but his torn hamstring is not properly healed.

New Zealand, typically, are sticking to their tried and trusted.

The teams:

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Matthew Horne, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Roger Twose, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, Dion Nash, Gavin Larsen and Geoff Allott.

Pakistan: Wasim Akram (captain), Saeed Anwar, Wajahatullah Wasti, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Arfidi, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shaoib Ahktar.

Umpires: Peter Willey (England), Daryl Hair (Australia).
TV replays: Dave Orchard (South Africa).
Reserve umpire: Vanburn Holder (England).
Match referee: Cammie Smith (West Indies).