Australia v Pakistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Match 18
October 20, 2023
2 pm local time
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

AUS vs PAK, World Cup 2023 Match 18: Live score

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Australia vs Pakistan, World Cup 2023: Toss and live updates

Toss at 1:30 pm local time

AUS vs PAK, World Cup 2023 Match 18: Team news

Australia have won six out of ten matches against Pakistan in the World Cup. A David Warner masterclass of 107 (112) helped them prevail over Pakistan by 41 runs in the 2019 edition.

The five-time champions have finally found their grove this year after their first against Sri Lanka. Wrist spinner Adam Zampa’s return to form is also a massive advantage for them. Josh Inglis, who scored 58 in his last outing, will keep his spot as the preferred gloveman over Alex Carey.

Meanwhile, Pakistan slumped to a heavy defeat against India despite winning the first two games versus the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Opener Abdullah Shafique is fit to play after he was quarantined for contracting a viral infection. All-rounder Salman Agha, who also caught the infection, will not be available for selection, along with benched opener Fakhar Zaman, who is out due to a knee injury.

Australia vs Pakistan predicted XIs

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

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

Match prediction: Who will win today’s Australia-Pakistan match?

A run-fest is on the cards, and it is difficult to pick a winner. Whichever side will maximise the initial ten overs on the high-scoring Bangalore pitch will get a head start. Australia are better equipped as they have firebrand opening batters David Warner and Mitchell Marsh in their ranks. Plus, their pace arsenal looks well-rounded compared to Pakistan’s. Further, the likes of Maxwell have spent considerable time plying their trade at the Chinnaswamy surface during the IPL.