World Cup 2023, Match 18 | Australia Predicted XI vs Pakistan

image-lnx7crcdAustralia is due to face Pakistan in the 18th match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

In the 18th match of the ongoing 2023 World Cup, Australia and Pakistan will face each other at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Both sides have had contrasting starts to their campaign and the play is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM IST.

Pakistan won their opening games against Sri Lanka and the Netherlands to start the competition on a high note. In their most recent match versus India, which took place in Ahmedabad, they were humiliated as the other team came out on top. With three games played, they currently hold four points and are in fourth place.

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Australia had a poor start to the mega-event after losing badly to India and South Africa in back-to-back games. But in their most recent match against Sri Lanka, they recovered to earn their first points. They have played three matches and are stationed at no. 7 with a couple of points in their kitty. 

The Kangaroos will aim to continue the momentum with a triumph against Pakistan. Let us have a quick look at their predicted XI against Pakistan.


Openers: David Warner and Mitch Marsh

Australia must be a bit delighted after Mitch Marsh struck a half-century in their last game. David Warner was amidst runs barring a couple of recent contests and the Aussie management will back him to pair with Marsh and do the job at the top of the order. Ahead of the prestigious tournament, Warner notched up consecutive fifties in all the three ODIs against India in the bilateral series. And his partner, Marsh was spotted with some explosive batting in the T20I and ODI bilateral series against South Africa in September.


Middle-Order: Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis

Steve Smith has already played three matches in the World Cup 2023 so far but yet to find a half-century. He's got a forty-plus total against India in their competition opener but flopped against South Africa and Sri Lanka. Smudge's form is very important for Australia and the G.O.A.T was spotted for an extended 2.5 hours practice session on Wednesday.

Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis has been relatively good with the bat for Australia in their last couple of matches. The former got the starts, has been gritty but failed to convert it into a big score. Meanwhile, Inglis has been a good replacement for Alex Carey. His half-century in the last game helped Australia in the chase of 210 runs against Sri Lanka. He held a solid partnership with Labuschagne for the fourth wicket and laid the bedrock for the chase.


All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis

The Australian lower batting order is going to consist of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. The Big Show and the Hulk were charismatic with their approach in finishing the game against Sri Lanka in their latest assignment. The two are also an important member of the team when it comes with the cork in hand. Maxwell has been more regular in bowling while Stoinis has been used less.


Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood

Australia are likely not to tinker their bowling attack. Pat Cummins is a great seam as well as swing bowler while Mitchell Starc is more like Mr. ICC. Whenever the big events come, Starc shows up with his capabilities. He also bagged a hat-trick against Netherlands during the Warm-up matches. They will be joined by Josh Hazlewood who was brilliant against India in their first game of the blockbuster event.

The pacers will be backed by Adam Zampa who finally found his form back in their last game against the Lankan Lions. Zampa claimed a four-for thereby, shutting up all the critics governing his form. He would look to replicate it once again.


Australia Predicted XI vs Pakistan

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