AUS vs PAK: Pakistan Receive Huge Boost Ahead Of Australia Match As Duo Recover From Injury And Fever
Published - 17 Oct 2023, 01:27 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:20 AM
Pakistan have received a big boost ahead of their crucial clash against Australia in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The match between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled to take place on Friday (October 20) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The Men in Green will be looking to bounce back against the humiliating defeat against arch-rivals India last week. The defeat also ended their winning start in the tournament. And ahead of the crucial game, they have received some much-needed morale-booster.
According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, opener Fakhar Zaman and leg-spinner Usama Mir are available for selection for the game against Australia. Fakhar was struggling with a knee injury while Usama was down with a fever. Fakhar was not a part of Pakistan’s playing XI for their last two games. He played in their tournament opener against the Netherlands and was out for 12 before being replaced by Abdullah Shafique in the playing XI.
Shafique made the most of the opportunity by scoring a stunning century against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Usama is yet to play in the World Cup after impressing in the warm-up games. With Shadab Khan as well as Mohammad Nawaz struggling to do well with the ball, he could get a game soon.
Pakistan in ICC World Cup 2023 so far:
Talking about Pakistan’s performance in the World Cup so far, they have won two and lost. The Babar Azam-led side began their campaign with a comfortable 81-run win over the Netherlands. After a poor start with the bat, they scored 286 runs before bowling out the Netherlands for 205 runs.
In their second game, they had their back against the wall after Sri Lanka posted a huge total of 344 runs. However, centuries from Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan saw Pakistan pull off the highest successful chase in the history of the World Cup.
Their winning start came to an end on last Saturday (October 14) when they suffered a seven-wicket defeat against India. Pakistan were on 155 for 2 at one stage before being bowled out for 191. In reply, India chased down the modest total inside 31 overs.
