Australia and Pakistan will take on each other in a crucial match in the ICC ODI World Cup in Bengaluru today. The defeats against India and South Africa have put the Aussies in a difficult position, though the win over Sri Lanka would be a much-needed relief. What would concern them is that no batter apart from Josh Inglis has made a fifty in the tournament - Marnus Labuschagne is the only one to have scored more than 100 runs in total. In fact, Mitchell Starc (55) has more runs against his name than Glenn Maxwell (49) and almost as many as Steve Smith (65), David Warner (65) and Mitchell Marsh (59) from three matches!
In their bowling department, skipper Pat Cummins remains a weak link. He has not been able to replicate his red-ball form in the shorter format.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have their share of worries. The sheen of their win against Sri Lanka, when they chased down the 345-run target, was lost soon because of the seven-wicket drubbing at the hands of hosts India. Opener Imam-ul-Haq has made just 63 runs from three matches, and the left-hander needs to give more solid support to Abdullah Shafique. Also, the middle-order is heavily reliant on Mohammad Rizwan. Saud Shakeel, who made a fifty against Netherlands, and Iftikhar Ahmed need to be consistent.
Skipper Babar Azam, Pakistan's batting mainstay, made a fifty against India, but had two ordinary outings against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
Among the bowlers, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has not been at his best. Leading the pack in the absence of injured pacer Naseem Shah, Afridi is yet to rediscover his pace and swing.
Australia vs Pakistan head-to-head record
Australia hold a 69-34 advantage in ODIs. Three matches had no results and one ended in a tie. The Aussies have a 6-4 edge in the 50-over World Cups.
Australia vs Pakistan pitch
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to have a smooth deck. Add to it the shorter boundaries, and the batters are likely to have a field day.
Australia vs Pakistan weather
The temperature is expected to be around 30 degree Celsius, as per Weather.com. Chances of rain are low, with the humidity expected to be 77 per cent.
Australia vs Pakistan teams
Australia:
Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
Pakistan:
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Match starts at 2pm.
(With PTI inputs)