The Australia vs Pakistan match on the 20th of October is going to be an engaging one. It will be a crucial game for both sides as they look to improve their place on the points list. The Australians defeated Sri Lanka in the previous match, their first win, and they need to win their next match too. The Pakistanis faced a big loss against India in the last game. Now, the side must bounce back in this tournament. 

Australia vs Pakistan Match preview:

Australia:

It has been an uncharacteristic beginning for Pat Cummins’ side in the World Cup 2023. They lost their first two matches but ultimately found their form at last. The 5-wicket win in the last game against Sri Lanka lifted the side’s confidence. The five-time World Champions shall look to work harder on this momentum and win the Australia vs Pakistan match to improve their position. Cummins would like a determined performance from his batters as they have struggled. 

Pakistan:

It was a disastrous batting from Pakistan against arch-rivals India. They went down by 7 wickets, and captain Babar Azam would be unsatisfied at how they threw away the match from a position of strength. Their record against the Australians has been unsatisfactory at the World Cup. Now, Azam would like his boys to put the loss behind them and reclaim their show and confidence

Australia vs Pakistan Predicted playing XI:

Predicted playing XI for Australia:

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

Predicted playing XI for Pakistan:

Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf

Australia vs Pakistan Key Players:

Australia:

Mitchell Marsh and David Warner have not been consistent. So, the side will expect good beginning hits from the pair in this Australia vs Pakistan game. The middle order is quite smooth. So, depending upon that, the side expects runs from the trio of Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, and Josh Inglis, who must do well against the Pak spinners. Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, and Pat Cummins add firepower to this batting section.

The Australian bowling spell has done relatively well to date, and the side will need early wickets from Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Adam Zampa has found his good form and must do well with skipper Cummins in the mid-overs. Maxwell and Stoinis may bring vast bowling touch in these conditions and have a crucial role in the match.

Pakistan:

Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique gave a smooth start in the last match. Now, they will look to build a healthy partnership in the Australia vs Pakistan match. Babar Azam and Md Rizwan are the key side batters and must do well. Pakistan will also need runs from the lower mid-order of Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Md Nawaz. Their poor form with the bat cost the team the match against India. 

The bowling attack has struggled in two of the three matches in this World Cup. Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali must do better in the next match for the side to have a good chance. Shadab and Nawaz must turn the conditions to their advantage to put the opponents under pressure in this contest. Iftikhar Ahmed and Haris Rauf completed a strong attack for their team.

Australia vs Pakistan Pitch & Weather report:

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is renowned for its tranquil pitch, swift outfield, and concise boundaries, rendering it a prime global batting haven. The venue has been a witness to numerous high-scoring contests over the years, with batsmen thriving in the absence of substantial assistance for bowlers.

Weather conditions for the day promise clear skies and a warm, pleasant evening, providing an ideal setting for cricket. However, history indicates that as the game unfolds, the pitch tends to lose its initial pace, a pattern well-documented in the past. Nevertheless, this wicket remains favorable for stroke-making, offering batsmen the opportunity to showcase their prowess.

In this game, the team batting first would consider a total of 320 runs a cause for contentment, given the nature of the pitch and past experiences at the stadium.

Australia vs Pakistan Head to Head in ODI

Australia has a 69-34 win/loss record over Pakistan ODI Cricket match

Australia vs Pakistan Match prediction:

The Pakistanis probably have a lack of confidence after the big loss in the last match against India. The lower mid-order and the bowling attack have looked rusty, and the side will have to bowl properly in this Australia vs Pakistan match to win. Australians found their form back in the previous game. So, I predict Australia will win the match