Australia is all set to take on the Pakistan in Match 18 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Friday, October 20 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Both the teams have a star-studded squad that can change the course of the game with their abilities. Australia is the favourite to win this encounter against Pakistan.
Australia and Pakistan have a fierce rivalry in the format. Both teams have played 104 ODI matches, with Australia winning 69 games and Pakistan winning 34 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 18 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between Australia and Pakistan.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Australia vs Pakistan Weather Forecast and Pitch Report for Today Match
Here are three player battles to watch out for during AUS vs PAK match:
1) Babar Azam vs Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has faced challenges when encountering Josh Hazlewood in ODI cricket. Across four matches, he has succumbed to Hazlewood’s bowling twice, amassing a mere 42 runs with a strike rate of 75 and an average of 21. The upcoming match will offer an interesting test of how Babar Azam copes with the Australian pacer. So far, Babar Azam has managed just 65 runs in three matches, while Hazlewood has claimed four wickets.
2) David Warner vs Hasan Ali
David Warner, who is participating in his final ODI World Cup, has faced a lean spell in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. With only 65 runs to his name from three matches, Warner will encounter Hasan Ali in the upcoming game, against whom he holds a positive record. In three ODI matches, Warner has hammered 106 runs, featuring 13 fours and 2 sixes against the pace bowler. Nevertheless, Hasan Ali has dismissed him on one occasion.
3) Mohammad Rizwan vs Adam Zampa
Pakistan’s batter Mohammad Rizwan has displayed remarkable form in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023, accumulating 248 runs from three matches, inclusive of a century and a half-century. His challenge in the forthcoming match will be to maintain this form when facing Adam Zampa, who has previously troubled him. Rizwan has fallen to Zampa’s bowling on three occasions in six ODI matches. He has scored 58 runs from 73 balls against the spinner.