ODI World Cup 2023: AUS vs PAK- Best combined playing XI

In the 18th match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan will face Australia at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahead of the game, both teams will be looking to register a win here. This is a crucial game for Australia, as they have lost two out of three games already, while Pakistan will look to get back on track. However, ahead of the game, here is our best combined playing XI for the Australia vs. Pakistan match.

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#Openers: David Warner and Babar Azam

In the ongoing tournament, both Babar Azam and David Warner have yet to perform to their potential. However, the game between Australia and Pakistan will be the best opportunity for both of them to score runs. Babar, who loves to play against Australia, will be keen to get back to his form against them. In the previous nine innings against Australia, Babar has scored 588 runs at an average of 73.5, including three centuries and two half-centuries. Talking about Warner, the beast has been phenomenal throughout his career. In his 13 innings against Pakistan, Warner has scored 676 runs at an average of 52. He has smashed three centuries and a half, including his 179-run knock at Adelaide.

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Middle Order: Steve Smith, Mohammad Rizwan, and Marnus Labuschange

Star Australian batter and former skipper Steve Smith has been phenomenal throughout his career. However, in the ongoing tournament, he has yet to fire. Meanwhile, Smith, who loves to play against Pakistan, will be keen to face them on a small field like Chinnaswamy. Smith, in his 11 innings against Pakistan, has scored 511 runs at an average of 51.2. He has smacked two centuries and three half-centuries against Pakistan.

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On the other hand, Star Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been phenomenal throughout the ongoing tournament. He is the highest run scorer for Pakistan and will be keen to continue his dominance with the bat. Rizwan has scored 248 runs in three innings in the ongoing tournament. He has scored a century and two half-centuries in the tournament.

Meanwhile, star Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is the key to the Aussies's middle order. However, he has been mediocre against Pakistan in ODI cricket. In three innings against the Asian giants, Labuschange has scored just 84 runs at an average of 29.73. His highest score is 59. Australia will want Labuschagne to score runs against Pakistan and help them conquer the game.

#Allrounders: Shadab Khan and Ifthikhar Ahmed

Star Pakistan all-rounders Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed make it into the combined playing XI. With their experience playing in sub-continent conditions and their performances, they outplayed Glenn Maxwell from the combined XI. Ifthikhar, in his two matches against Australia, has been mediocre with the bat, scoring just 13 runs. However, in two games, he has clinched two important wickets. His batting has been a great support for Pakistan in the ongoing tournament.

Meanwhile, Shadab Khan has yet to play a match against Australia in ODIs. However, his performance with both bat and bowl against the mighty Aussies in other formats of the game will help him to continue his dominance with both bat and ball. Shadab will also be looking to get some wickets in the middle overs to help his team win the game. However, till now, he has failed to perform with the ball in the ongoing tournament.

#Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf

Australia skipper and pacer Pat Cummins has been phenomenal with the ball in the last few games. In a do-or-die game against Sri Lanka, Cummins clinched two important wickets and helped Australia get back into the game. His leadership skills and bowling performance will be key to Australia's success in the upcoming match.

Similarly, Cummins will be looking at his best bowler, Josh Hazelwood, for support. Despite his mediocre performance in the ongoing tournament, Hazelwood poses a great threat to Pakistan in the upcoming match. He has a great record against the Asian giants, clinching three wickets in as many games in less than 35 balls.

Meanwhile, Pakistan pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will be the key bowlers. Both Afridi and Rauf will need to get early wickets to help Pakistan tighten their grip on the game. Rauf, in his one match against Australia, troubled the mighty team and took a wicket too. On the other hand, Shaheen has been poor in the bowl against Australia and will look to get back on track.