Pakistan named wrist spinner Usama Mir in the playing XI in their 2023 World Cup match against Australia. Vice-captain Shadab Khan sat out to make way for Mir

Babar Azam announced a solitary change in the Pakistan line-up at the toss after electing to field first. Leg-spinner Mir made his World Cup debut, replacing an out-of-form Shadab. Mir has taken 11 wickets for Pakistan in eight ODIs, and impressed the selectors with 4-43 against New Zealand in 2023. Named in their Asia Cup 2023 squad, Mir was drafted in the team that flew to India and returned figures of  2-31 in the warm-up fixture against Australia.

Pakistan’s spinners have lacked bite in recent times. After a lacklustre Asia Cup, Shadab was still preferred as the frontline spinner in initial matches, but he failed to deliver in any. He could not complete his full overs in any of the last three outings, against the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and India, and went for 6.68 per over. Shadab’s rusty returns with the bat have not helped his cause as well.

Meanwhile, Australia announced an unchanged team following their five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. They will be boosted by Adam Zampa’s return to form. The batting order has looked patchy at times, but played well as a unit to knock off 209 in 35.2 overs in their previous outing. Josh Inglis, who scored 58 in 59 balls, retained his place as the preferred wicketkeeper.

Pakistan are without the services of Fakhar Zaman, who is nursing an injury, and Salman Agha, who is running a temperature. For Australia, Travis Head missed this match, but should be available soon.

Given the belter in Bangalore and the familiarity of numerous Australian cricketers with the conditions because of the IPL, a high-scoring encounter is on the cards.

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