Match preview: AUS vs PAK, From playing XI to pitch report, All details here

Australia and Pakistan will square off in the eighteenth game of the current ODI World Cup 2023 on Friday, October 20, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Australia and Pakistan have split their three matches in the esteemed event thus far, with Australia winning one and Pakistan winning two.

Match preview: AUS vs PAK

After losing to South Africa and India, Australia opened their account with a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their most recent match. The team, captained by Pat Cummins, has been having trouble winning and is still in the lower half of the standings. But defeating Sri Lanka at last will undoubtedly give them more confidence going into their matchup with Pakistan.

However, Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, may be less confident going into the match because they just suffered a crushing defeat to India, their bitter rivals. It should be intriguing to watch how the team performs against the Men in Yellow, as they will be eager to get back to winning ways.

AU against PAK Pitching and Situation

Batters will find heaven at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Batting under lights gets easier as the game goes on. It could be a good idea to bowl first because a run-fest might be in store.

Playing XI

Australia will aim to use the same lineup for the match against Pakistan. Expected to start once more are David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, with Travis Head’s comeback imminent.

Predicted XI

Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood

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Pakistan (PAK)

Pakistan have quite the problem on their hands, as several of their star players fell ill. With Abdullah Shafique in quarantine, Fakhar Zaman could make a return to the squad.

Predicted XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Nawaz