Match Analysis In Brief
| Date | Friday 20th October, 2023 at 14:00 (IST) and at 09:30 (UK) |
| Venue | Australia vs Pakistan will take place at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India |
| Weather | It is expected to remain hot at around 29c throughout the day before dropping to 24c in the evening during the second innings. Rain showers are also forecast earlier in the day and could continue into the first innings of the match. |
| TV & Streaming | Viewers in India: can watch this match live on Star Sports channels, or stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app. |
| Viewers in Pakistan: can watch this match live on both PTV Sports and A-Sports or stream it through the PTVFLIX App. | |
| Viewers in Sri Lanka: can watch this match live on Maharaja TV or stream it on Sirasatv. Lk. | |
| Viewers in Afghanistan: can watch this match live on Ariana TV. | |
| Viewers in Bangladesh: can watch it on Gazi TV or stream it through Rabbithole. | |
| Viewers in the UK: can watch this match live on Sky Sports or stream it via the Sky Go App. | |
| Viewers in Australia: can watch this match live on Fox Sports or stream it via the Foxtel or Kayo Sports app. | |
| Viewers in South Africa: can watch this match on SuperSport channels or stream it via the SuperSport app. | |
| Viewers in the USA and Canada: can watch this match live on Willow TV, whilst viewers from the USA can also stream it via the ESPN+ app. |
KEY BETTING STATS
- In 21 World Cup bowling innings, Mitchell Starc has never failed to take a wicket and has taken two or more wickets on 17 occasions – Bowler To Take 2+ Wickets
- Australia have won their last nine ODI matches against Pakistan outside of Pakistan – Match Result
- Mohammad Rizwan has scored 49 or more runs in each of his three innings so far and is the leading run scorer in the competition after each team has played three matches – Top Batter In The Match
BETTING ANALYSIS For Australia
Australia’s build-up to the World Cup was poor with a series defeat in South Africa and injuries to key men such as Ashton Agar and Travis Head. It got even worse when they lost their opening two matches in comprehensive fashion to hosts India and, once again, the South Africans. However, something of a stirring come back to defeat Sri Lanka on Monday has given them a renewed sense of optimism heading into the rest of the competition.
A lot of that optimism can be placed upon the shoulders of Adam Zampa. Around six months ago, the leg-break bowler was viewed widely as one of, if not the, best white ball spinners in the world. It has been a tricky few months for the 31-year-old but his well controlled 4-47 against the Sri Lankans has got him into the tournament. Carrying that form into this match seems likely with Zampa taking over 1.5 wickets (1.83) good value.
Both Mitchell Marsh and David Warner came into the tournament on the back of good form with the former expected to take the captaincy of the ODI team after the World Cup. Against a Pakistan bowling lineup who have taken just two wickets in the opening 20 overs at a minimum in each of their three matches so far, Marsh (1.80) and Warner (1.72) to both therefore reach 30+ runs looks quite likely.
BETTING ANALYSIS For Pakistan
Pakistan were unconvincing in their defeat of the Netherlands in their opening match, being bowled out for 284 after being 34-3 at one stage. They followed that up by conceding 344-9 to Sri Lanka but produced the biggest World Cup run chase of all time to earn back-to-back victories. Both aspects of the game had let them down at different stages before a seven-wicket hammering at the hands of their arch-rivals India last weekend.
Despite their general inconsistency with bat and ball, one man, as mentioned, has remained in excellent form throughout with Mohammad Rizwan producing knocks of 68, 131 not out and then 49 so far. Whilst doing this he has hit the joint second-most fours in the World Cup so far, reaching the boundary on 23 occasions. Rizwan hitting the most fours in this match (9.00) presents excellent value.
Shaheen Afridi has struggled to find rhythm ever since returning from injury earlier this year but as the tournament goes on, it is expected he begins to click. Given that Australia struggled with the left-arm fast bowling of Dilshan Madushanka against Sri Lanka the other day, Afridi to get over 1.5 wickets (1.80) feels like a worthwhile investment.
CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION
This match could well be very important in determining who reaches the semi-finals of this tournament. Despite winning both games against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, there was a feeling after both matches that a team with a little more depth on both sides of the game would have fairly comfortably defeated Pakistan. Australia haven’t quite shown that depth in both sides of their game but their reputation precedes them with an excellent bowling lineup supported by a batting lineup that will surely begin to figure things out on a more consistent basis.
TIP
Australia to win (1.53)
