CWC 2023: Australia vs Pakistan match preview

Australia have got back to winning ways just in time, having registered their first victory of the World Cup in their previous game against Sri Lanka. Travis Head is still not available, and there are still a lot of holes to fill, but Australia would feel that the power in their side will give them an edge over Pakistan at the high-scoring venue in Bengaluru.

Pakistan’s sweet start to the World Cup campaign was hit by the India truck as they lost comprehensively in Ahmedabad. Following the defeat, several of their players fell sick due to a viral infection upon arriving in Bengaluru. They’ll now have to adapt quickly to the high-scoring conditions that are generally on offer here.

AUS vs PAK fantasy tips

# David Warner has a tremendous record in Bengaluru in white-ball cricket. From 10 T20 innings, he has scored 489 runs here at an average of 54.33, while from two ODIs he has scored 127 runs including a century. He should be a sure starter in your XI.

# After two poor outings in the first two games, Mitchell Marsh came back to form with a fifty against Sri Lanka. He will like the conditions on offer in Bengaluru and would fancy giving his team a quick start. He has not bowled a lot so far in the World Cup, but can chip in with some overs as well if required.

# Glenn Maxwell has made a top score of 31 in the World Cup so far, but has been bowling regularly and has been amongst the wickets. Plus he has a tremendous record at this venue in both ODIs and T20s. He should be your top captaincy pick.

# Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are Pakistan’s engine room with the bat, particularly the former who has been in outstanding form. Both should feature in your team.

Australia vs Pakistan: Predicted XI

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

AUS vs PAK: Dream11 team

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Josh Inglis

Batters: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Babar Azam

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mohammad Nawaz

Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Shaheen Afridi

Captaincy options: Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner

Potential swaps: Marnus Labuschagne for Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa for Josh Hazlewood.