Pakistan ended Australia's World Cup winning streak in 2011 and the co-hosts will be desperate to avoid a repeat
Australians wary of unpredictable Pakistan
Shane Watson knows all too well how potent Pakistan's unpredictability can be at a World Cup.
Watson was part of the XI that was beaten by four wickets in 2011, when Pakistan ended Australia's run of 34 unbeaten World Cup games.
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There was plenty of niggle in the match, including a spat between Umar Akmal and Brad Haddin who will come face to face again in Friday's quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval.
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Haddin and Akmal getting up close and personal in the 2011 World Cup // Getty Images
"I try to forget that one, because we lost it," Watson said on Tuesday. "We knew that was a really important game.
"If we lost against them we were going to have to play India in the quarter-final, which we knew was going to be a big challenge on their home turf.
"And it worked out that way."
Australia's hopes of a fourth consecutive one-day crown were dashed in that quarter-final against India.
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A match to forget // Getty Images
This time around they will confront Pakistan in the round of eight.
Misbah-ul-Haq's men have banked four wins on the trot, including an upset over South Africa, since dropping their opening two games of the tournament.
"They can play some incredible cricket," Watson said.
"But they also can self-destruct quite quickly as well.
"That's the reason why the Pakistan team are so dangerous, especially in a knockout game."
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Watson suggested it was imperative his side didn't give Pakistan a sniff on Friday.
"We know this is a danger game for us because they can come on and just turn it on," he said.
"We know we're going to have to be at our absolute best to not give them a chance to be able to get that momentum.
"We know if they're able to get that, they can run away with it very quickly.
"They've certainly got some match-winners."
One of those is Sarfraz Ahmed, the recalled opener who scored an unbeaten century in the side's last-start win over Ireland in Adelaide.
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Sarfraz has been electric at the top of the order for Pakistan // Getty Images
Sarfraz also posted a ton and was only dismissed once in Pakistan's thumping 2-0 Test series win over Australia last October.
"Confidence is there," he said.
"We always had tough contests with Australia. Our last Test series against them in UAE was very competitive and we beat them.
"The pressure is on Australia as they are playing on their homeground... we will try to attack and play positive cricket."