The five-time champions Australia will take on one-time winners Pakistan in the 18th game of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Friday. Australia were able to get the much-needed win against Sri Lanka in their previous match as they convincingly won by five wickets.

Pakistan, on the other hand, suffered a seven-wicket hammering against arch-rivals India and they will aim to return to the winning ways.

Adam Zampa was able to get back into form as he returned with impressive figures of 4-47 in the eight overs he bowled and he is going to hold the key for Australia in the middle overs. Furthermore, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis scored fine half-centuries for the Aussies against the Lankans.

Australia would have received a massive boost after registering their maiden win of the tournament after losing their opening two matches against India and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will want to come up with a collective batting performance as they were skittled out for a paltry score of 191 runs against India. In fact, the Men in Green were cruising at 155-2 but lost the last eight wickets for only 36 runs.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s fast bowlers haven’t looked at their absolute best in the ongoing tournament and they will need to turn the tables.

Match Prediction: Australia might enter the contest as slight favorites against Pakistan.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.