Match: Australia vs Pakistan, Cricket World Cup 2023 (AUS vs SL)
Date: October 20, Friday, 2.00 PM IST
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Australia will play Pakistan in the 18th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 20. Australia, the most successful team in World Cup history with five titles, have won just one game of the three they have played so far. Pakistan, on the other hand, have two wins from three matches.
Australia come into this back on the back of a win over Sri Lanka, who were bowled out for 209. Adam Zampa picked up four wickets while Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins picked up two each. In the chase, Australia lost a couple of early wickets before Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis rescued them. They eventually chased down the target in 35.2 overs.
Pakistan, on the other hand, lost their previous game to India. Babar Azam (50) and Mohammed Rizwan (49) were the only two batsmen who were able to deliver with the bat as Pakistan were eventually able to post a total of only 191 before being bowled out. In reply, India chased down the target in 30.3 overs. The big-margin loss has also hurt Pakistan’s net run rate and they are now fourth in the points table.
Ahead of match 18 of the Cricket World Cup 2023, here’s everything you need to know to maximise your chances of winning cash prizes on MPL fantasy.
Weather update and pitch report for AUS vs PAK, Cricket World Cup 2023
M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is one of the most batting friendly pitches in India. The small boundary further helps the batsmen. Pacers could enjoy some seam and swing in the initial overs. The average score at the venue reads 207 and the captain winning the toss could choose to bowl first. However, interestingly, each of the last six ODI World Cup matches between these two have been won by the team that lost the toss.
The weather in Bangalore will be warm and sunny with a maximum temperature of 34 degrees in the afternoon. Rain is not forecast.
Australia team news and predicted XI
Team news: There was concern about Adam Zampa’s fitness after he injured himself in the previous game, but Pat Cummins has confirmed that he is fit and available to play. Australia are thus unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI.
Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc
Playing XI: 1 David Warner 2 Mitchell Marsh 3 Steven Smith 4 Marnus Labuschagne 5 Josh Inglis (wk) 6 Glenn Maxwell 7 Marcus Stoinis 8 Mitchell Starc 9 Pat Cummins (c) 10 Adam Zampa 11 Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan team news and predicted XI
Team news: Fakhar Zaman, who was dropped from the playing XI after Pakistan’s first game, is unavailable for selection in the next two games due to illness.
Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Playing XI: 1 Abdullah Shafique 2 Imam-ul-Haq 3 Babar Azam (capt) 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 5 Saud Shakeel 6 Mohammad Nawaz/Shadab Khan 7 Iftikhar Ahmed 8 Usama Mir 9 Hasan Ali 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi 11 Haris Rauf
Head-to-head record
In the 50-over format, the two sides have played against each other in a total of 107 matches, of which 69 were won by Australia. Pakistan have 34 wins. Three matches did not produce any results while one game was tied. At the World Cup in particular, Australia have won six of the 10 games, including four of the last five.
Five players to watch out for
Here we list five players you must pick in your MPL fantasy XI for AUS vs PAK, Cricket World Cup 2023
Babar Azam – batsman, Pakistan
Pakistan’s captain currently tops the ICC ODI Men’s Batting Rankings, but his form in the ongoing World Cup has not been great. Apart from a half century against India in the previous game, he has delivered no significant performance. With the race to the semi-final slots starting to get tougher, now is a great time for Babar to deliver the goods. He has a batting average of over 57 in ODIs along with 19 centuries.
Mohammed Rizwan – wicketkeeper batsman, Pakistan
Mohammed Rizwan has been Pakistan’s best batsman in the tournament thus far, amassing 248 runs in just three matches. He started the tournament with 68 against the Netherlands, followed by an unbeaten 131 against Sri Lanka and 49 against India. If Azam fails to perform again, much of the batting responsibility will be on Rizwan, who averages 40.43 in 68 matches.
Mitchell Starc – bowler, Australia
Mitchell Starc has picked up five wickets in three games and not just that, he has also scored 55 runs with the bat. He is expected to be Australia’s key bowler in the powerplay and if he manages to dismiss the Pakistan top order early on, the game will get a lot easier for the Aussies.
Adam Zampa – bowler, Australia
Adam Zampa was Australia’s best bowler against Sri Lanka in the previous game, picking up four wickets for 47 runs. Zampa needs only three more wickets to reach 150 ODI wickets. Upon getting there, he will become only the second Australian legspinner to reach 150 ODI wickets after Shane Warne.
Hasan Ali – bowler, Pakistan
Another bowler to have in your MPL fantasy team is Hasan Ali, who has picked up seven wickets in three matches an at economy of six runs per over. He picked up two wickets against the Netherlands, four against Sri Lanka and one against India.
MPL XI
AUS vs PAK – where and what time to watch the match live in India
The Australia vs Pakistan ODI will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India. You can also watch the game on the Disney + Hotstar app as well as the Jiocinema app. The match will begin at 2.00 PM IST on October 20.
Check out our detailed guide on fantasy cricket for more tips and tricks. https://www.mpl.live/blog/todays-match-prediction/
Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.
