ICC World Cup 2023, AUS vs BAN | Five Player Battles to Watch Out For

image-losisudhAustralia and Bangladesh will lock horns in Pune. (AP)

In the 43rd game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Australia faces Bangladesh, with an aim to extend their winning streak and gain momentum for the upcoming semi-final clash against South Africa. In their previous match against Afghanistan, Australia orchestrated a remarkable comeback courtesy of a brilliant double ton from Glenn Maxwell. The Aussies secured an unexpected victory from a precarious situation, showcasing their resilient spirit.

Having won six consecutive matches, the five-time World Cup winners exudes confidence, particularly after their stunning turnaround in the last game. The team's unwavering belief, evident in the face of adversity, propelled them to victory. Having secured a spot in the semifinal, Australia now seeks a comprehensive win to carry forward their momentum into the crucial knockout stage.

Najmul Hossain Shanto assumes the leadership role for Bangladesh in the absence of the injured Shakib Al Hasan. Despite Bangladesh being out of contention for the semifinals, Shanto aims to lead the team to a positive conclusion, especially after the controversy surrounding the dismissal of Angelo Mathews in their recent victory against Sri Lanka.

The outcome of the game hinges on how the Bangladeshi batters fare against the formidable Australian bowling attack. Historically, Bangladesh has struggled against Australia, with only one victory back in 2005. It remains to be seen if they can spring a surprise in this encounter.

Now, let's delve into five player battles that could shape the fate of this game.

Tanzid Hasan vs Josh Hazlewood

image-losizct0Josh Hazlewood. (AP)

Hazlewood has been among the wickets in this World Cup, displaying expertise in taking wickets with the new ball. His extreme accuracy and challenging natural length will make life tough for Tanzid in the powerplay overs. Tanzid, who has been out of form, likes to take on the bowling, but if he tries to take on Hazlewood, it's likely that he will give his wicket away.

David Warner vs Taskin Ahmed

image-losiys1vDavid Warner. (AP)

Warner struggled against the moving ball in the last game. He had an early chance in his innings, but he couldn't make the most of it as he gave away his wicket by playing a rash shot. If Taskin finds movement with the ball, he can trouble Warner. With the height to extract extra bounce off the wicket and the ability to move the ball both ways, this could be one of the spiciest battles of the game.

Mushfiqur Rahim vs Adam Zampa

image-losixrb8Mushfiqur Rahim. (AP)

This hasn't been quite the World Cup Mushfiqur would have hoped for, as he has been disappointing and short of runs. Being the senior member of the team, the team will expect a big score from him, at least in the last match of the World Cup. Mushfiqur, the best player of spin bowling, faces a huge task against Adam Zampa. The Aussie leg-spinner has the happy knack of taking big wickets. In the game against Bangladesh, he will look to get Mushfiqur out. Zampa hasn't dismissed Mushfiqur yet in his career, and this could be his opportunity.

Travis Head vs Mehidy Hasan Miraz

image-losiwyicMehidy Hasan Miraz. (AP)

Travis Head hasn't scored runs in his last two games, and his game against spin doesn't inspire much confidence. This might prompt Bangladeshi stand-in skipper Shanto to bring in Mehidy Hasan Miraz early in the innings, perhaps with the new ball in the powerplay. Mehidy enjoys bowling to left-handers. Like Shakib, Mehidy is a street-smart customer, and it won't be easy for Head to take on Mehidy.

Mitchell Marsh vs Shoriful Islam

image-losiw4msMitchell Marsh. (AP)

The left-arm seamer hasn't taken many wickets in this World Cup, but Bangladesh relies on him to produce goods in crunch moments. For this reason, Bangladesh has played him ahead of the senior pro like Mustafizur Rahman. Shoriful needs to repay the trust of the team management. If he can get the dangerous Mitchell Marsh out, he will do a world of good for his team. Against Pakistan, Marsh proved why he is one of the most destructive white-ball batters in the world right now. Marsh can be very dangerous if he stays at the crease for longer periods, and Shoriful would like to dismiss him as soon as possible.