In the 18th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, it’s a pivotal clash between AUS vs PAK. Both teams are desperately seeking a victory to elevate their standings on the points table. The Australians recently notched their first win by defeating Sri Lanka, and they’re determined to maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, Pakistan is reeling from a heavy defeat at the hands of India and is eager to make a strong comeback in this crucial contest.
Historically, AUS vs PAK, Pakistan has struggled against the formidable Australian side, managing only three victories in the last decade. To stand a chance in this encounter, they’ll need to summon their best performance. Australia, on the other hand, has raised a few eyebrows with their recent form, prompting questions that they must address. With so much at stake, this match promises to be a closely-fought battle, as both teams aim to secure a crucial win.
Australia Predicted Playing XI:
Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Key Players
- David Warner: Warner’s aggressive batting at the top of the order is essential for Australia’s success. A good start from him can set the tone for the innings, and he needs to find consistency in this crucial match.
- Mitchell Marsh: As a middle-order batsman and a handy bowler, Marsh’s all-round abilities make him a valuable asset for Australia. His performance with both bat and ball will be crucial in this game.
- Steven Smith: Smith’s experience and ability to anchor the innings are pivotal for Australia’s middle order. He must contribute significantly against Pakistan’s spinners to stabilize the innings.
- Mitchell Starc: Starc’s pace and ability to swing the ball early on can provide Australia with early wickets, a key factor on a batting-friendly Bengaluru pitch. His performance with the new ball is vital.
- Adam Zampa: Zampa’s form in the middle overs is essential for Australia’s bowling attack. His ability to take crucial wickets and control the game in the spin-friendly conditions will be crucial.
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Key Players
- Babar Azam: The captain and linchpin of Pakistan’s batting, Azam needs to lead by example and play a significant innings to set a strong foundation for his team.
- Shaheen Afridi: Afridi’s left-arm pace and ability to extract bounce can trouble the Australian batsmen. Early breakthroughs from him are vital for Pakistan’s chances.
- Mohammad Rizwan: Rizwan’s performance as a wicketkeeper-batsman is crucial for Pakistan’s middle order. His ability to consolidate the innings and score runs under pressure will be vital.
- Shadab Khan: As a spin-bowling all-rounder, Khan’s performance with both bat and ball can sway the game. He must exploit the spin-friendly conditions and provide valuable contributions.
- Hasan Ali: Ali’s experience and ability to take wickets in the middle overs make him an important asset in the bowling department for Pakistan. His performance is key to building pressure on Australia.
AUS vs PAK: Mega Team
AUS vs PAk: H2H Team
AUS vs PAk: Small Team
Weather Conditions
AUS vs PAK, Bengaluru will see clear skies, and it will be a warm and comfortable evening. The surface will slow down as the game progresses, as we have seen in the past. Batsmen can play their strokes on this wicket. The side batting first in this game shall be happy to have 320 runs on the board.
Venue Details
AUS vs PAK, A placid pitch, fast outfield, and short boundaries make M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, one of the best batting surfaces in the world. We have seen several high-scoring encounters in the past, and batsmen find it easy to play on this surface where there is little support for the bowlers.
Toss: To Bat
AUS vs PAK, The venue has favored side that have batted first. The script has been the same on most occasions where captains have preferred to put total on the board and defend it. The skipper winning the toss is likely to bat first on this surface.
Disclaimer: The composition of this team is a result of the author’s interpretation, analysis, and intuition. When forming your own team, take into account the points provided and use your own judgment to make decisions.