Australia vs Pakistan, Match 18
ICC World Cup, 20 October, 2023, 2 PM IST, Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Australia vs Pakistan will face each other for the first time in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in India. The match is scheduled to take place at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, with the venue hosting its first game this World Cup.
Australia are coming off a confident win over Sri Lanka by five wickets in the last game. They have so far won only one game out of three having lost to India and South Africa in their first two outings. However, they will be keen on going on a winning run in the upcoming matches and securing their place in the top four.
Pakistan, meanwhile, went down to arch-rivals India meekly at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad in their previous encounter. They could just post 191 runs after being invited to bat first and lost the match comfortably by seven wickets. Nevertheless, they have won two matches thus far having begun their campaign with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
The Babar Azam-led side will be looking to regroup after the thumping loss against India and return to winning ways.
The Australia vs Pakistan prediction isn’t easy at all with both desperate to win this match. The venue is also new for both sides with this being the first match of this World Cup at this venue, which lends an uncertainty.
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for Pakistan: L-W-W-L-L
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for the Australia: W-L-L-L-L
Gautam Gambhir criticizes Babar Azam’s cautious approach in India-Pakistan clash
Contents
Australia vs Pakistan Match Preview
Australia
Australia are unlikely to make changes to their winning combination. They went against making wholesale changes after a loss to South Africa and retained the same side. The same XI delivered a win for them against Sri Lanka. Travis Head is unlikely to play this game which could be the only change in future too. Australia are once again expected to go in with the same team. Josh Inglis scored a brilliant half-century in the previous game which is set to keep Alex Carey on the bench too.
A five wicket win against Sri Lanka and our Aussie men are off and running at the #CWC23!
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) October 16, 2023
Pakistan in Bangalore on Friday awaits 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/esnSEBoJ51
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Steve Smith
Probable Best Bowler: Mitchell Starc
Possible Playing XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan
Pakistan have found themselves in a little bit of trouble with players suffering from viral in Bengaluru. Several players are reported to have fever at the moment with even Abdullah Shafique, their opener, in quarantine. If he doesn’t recover on time, Pakistan might have to play Fakhar Zaman in their playing XI. Also, Mohammad Nawaz could be left out for leg-spinner Usama Mir.
Imam-ul-Haq is likely to keep his place despite low returns so far in the tournament. Even Shadab Khan is expected to keep his place despite massive criticism due to the lack of options available for Pakistan in the squad. Mohammad Wasim Jr had a lengthy bowling session in the nets on Tuesday and could be in contention to replace Hasan Ali.
Of autographs and smiles: @babarazam258 and @mnawaz94 make a fan's day at M Chinnaswamy Stadium ✍️🙌
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 17, 2023
📹 WATCH 👉 https://t.co/ZIHCImPhxZ#CWC23 | #DattKePakistani pic.twitter.com/wETDzFhp5O
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Mohammad Rizwan
Probable Best Bowler: Haris Rauf
Possible Playing XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman/Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali/Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Pitch Report and Expected Weather Conditions for Australia vs Pakistan
M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is set to host its first match in the World Cup 2023. The stadium is historically known to be full of runs but the surface has changed over the years if the IPL is taken into consideration. Having said that, with this being a relaid surface, there will be a little help for the bowlers before it gets flatter and flatter as the game progresses.
Clearly, it is better to bowl first with dew likely to come later and the venue being the toughest to defend. The stadium has hosted 38 ODIs so far and the chasing team has had the upper hand on most of the occasions.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru ODI Records
Total Matches: 38
Match Won batting first: 14
Match won bowling first: 20
Average 1st innings score: 232
Average 2nd innings score: 215
Expected weather condition: The weather in Bengaluru is always a talking point among locals with rain always around the corner. But this match is unlikely to be interrupted by showers with temperatures expected to be in the last 20s during the match.
Australia vs Pakistan Dream11 Match Prediction
Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan
Batters: David Warner, Babar Azam, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Recommended Captain: Steve Smith
Recommended Vice-captain: Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan has been in terrific form scoring 248 runs runs in three matches so far. He has been picked ahead of Josh Inglis in the Dream11 Fantasy team. Among batters, irrespective of their form, Warner, Babar, Smith and Marsh have to be picked on sheer quality. These players are match-winners on their day.
Glenn Maxwell is the only all-rounder picked in this team with not many in-form players available. This has allowed us to pick some quality pace bowlers in Cummins, Starc, Afridi and Rauf who can pick wickets on their will on their day. Adam Zampa picked up four wickets against Sri Lanka and it is hard to ignore him in the fantasy team.
Australia vs Pakistan win prediction: Australia to win
Australia are the favourites currently to beat Pakistan looking at the strengths of the side. But Pakistan is an extremely unpredictable team and can come out roaring after being cornered in Ahmedabad against India. They have a point to prove as well while Australia too cannot afford another loss having gone down in the first two matches. It will certainly be the most exciting match of the World Cup but Australia start as favourites to win.
