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The Australia versus Pakistan clash in Bengaluru on Friday holds immense significance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, especially concerning the race for a spot in the semi-finals. Australia, having suffered defeats in their initial two matches against India and South Africa, can likely only afford to lose a maximum of two more games, possibly just one, in the remaining group-stage fixtures to have a shot at securing a top-four spot.
A loss to Pakistan, a team with two wins already under their belt, would deal a substantial blow to Australia's hopes of claiming their sixth title in the men's Cricket World Cup. Pakistan, despite a disappointing loss to India in their previous match, started strongly. A victory against the Australian team would help Babar Azam's side establish a considerable lead over their rivals in the competition for the coveted semi-final spots as they approach the midpoint of their group campaign.
When: October 20, 2023, 2:00 PM IST
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Teams
Australia:
In the lead-up to the match, the focus was on former captain turned commentator Aaron Finch, who was the center of attention during Australia's practice session. He engaged in extensive discussions with several former teammates and the chief selector, George Bailey. Patrick Cummins was also seen in a lengthy conversation with Bailey as they left the practice ground. However, it raises questions about what changes they can realistically make at this stage, especially with the impending arrival of Travis Head to the team later in the week. Most players have had their fair share of batting and bowling practice over the past two days, with the exception of Adam Zampa, who is expected to be in the playing lineup. The only potential alteration might come into consideration if Zampa encounters stiffness on the morning of the match, in which case Sean Abbott could be a replacement option.
In terms of tactics and strategy, the Australian team showed promising signs as they left Lucknow. They managed to find stability in the middle order, thanks to the contributions of Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell. Additionally, they figured out how to secure crucial wickets in the middle overs, largely credited to the efforts of Cummins and Adam Zampa. Australia had previously played a warm-up match against Pakistan, where their openers adopted an ultra-aggressive approach against the Pakistani fast bowlers. A similar strategy is expected to be employed in the upcoming match. Furthermore, the Australian seamers have adjusted their tactics in the last couple of games, utilizing more cross-seam deliveries and incorporating cutters once the ball starts to wear out. This strategy could prove effective against the Pakistani middle-order, which has struggled to consistently perform.
Pakistan:
Fakhar Zaman will still be unavailable for another week, and Agha Salman is currently recovering from an illness. The primary anticipated change for Pakistan is the inclusion of leg-spinner Usama Mir in place of Mohammad Nawaz. Mir showcased an impressive performance against Australia in Hyderabad during the warm-up match.
In terms of tactics and strategy, Pakistan's ability to succeed against Australia will largely hinge on their top-order batsmen posting substantial runs and ensuring that their innings extend deep into the match. This was an area where they faced difficulties against India, despite a strong start. Additionally, they'll rely on their spinners to take wickets and complement the contributions of the fast bowlers, who have been somewhat inconsistent despite their reputation.
Squads:
Pakistan Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr
Australia Squad: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Cameron Green
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going to play today than forget about Pakistan winning this match.
