The excitement is building as the ICC World Cup 2023 gears up for an enthralling encounter between Australia and Pakistan. This highly-anticipated AUS vs PAK clash is set to be held in Bengaluru on October 20, Friday.
This pitch is a historic high-scoring venue where 329 stands as the highest ODI total chased down. Given the potential of their batters, a high-scoring contest is certainly on the cards.
Cricket lovers worldwide are eagerly awaiting this contest, as it marks the beginning of five exhilarating matches to be hosted at this venue.
For Australia, the stakes are higher than ever, and the weight of expectation rests squarely on the shoulders of their captain, Pat Cummins.
Having lost back-to-back defeats against India and South Africa, Cummins is acutely aware of the pressure he faces as he strives to keep Australia’s status as tournament favourites intact. His leadership will undoubtedly be under scrutiny in this crucial match.
On the other side, Babar Azam, captain of Pakistan, also finds himself in a precarious position. His team recently suffered a demoralizing defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India, a game where Pakistan crumbled from a promising 155/2 to a 191 all-out.
Both Cummins and Azam have faced their fair share of criticism, with their captaincy and team performances coming under scrutiny. Both sides have yet to gel as a cohesive unit, and their batting lineups have struggled to meet the high expectations set for them.
However, at the end of the day, one of these teams will face defeat. For Pakistan, it would mark their second loss in the tournament, while for Australia, it would be their third setback.
Australia’s star batters, Steve Smith and David Warner, have failed to find their form in the World Cup. In their pursuit of a 209-run target, they lost five wickets, making their struggles all the more evident.
Nevertheless, Mitchell Marsh’s half-century at the top and a spirited lower-order performance rescued the Aussies from a precarious situation, giving their management reasons to smile.
In the bowling department, Adam Zampa emerged as the hero, scalping four crucial wickets. This spell could provide the much-needed boost for Zampa to shine in the forthcoming matches.
Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell also chipped in with valuable contributions, strengthening Australia’s bowling lineup.
The stage is set for an epic clash as these two cricketing powerhouses lock horns in Bengaluru. The fate of Australia and Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 hinges on this pivotal encounter.
AUS vs PAK Predicted Playing XI
Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir/Mohammad Nawaz, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
