Australia will field first after captain Pat Cummins won the toss ahead of their clash with Bangladesh in Pune at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Australia are out to make it seven wins on the trot even with one eye already on their cut-throat semi-final with South Africa, while Bangladesh are chasing a critical top-eight finish at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Glenn Maxwell has been rested from the Australia line-up after his incredible double hundred against Afghanistan, while left-arm quick Mitchell Starc will also watch on as star batter Steve Smith returns to the side.
The five-time champions have already used much of their squad with injuries, off-field incidents and personal reasons forcing multiple changes throughout the campaign, but are this time able to give an opportunity to Sean Abbott for his Cricket World Cup debut.
While the Australia side can focus on fine-tuning for their semi-final encounter, spinner Adam Zampa can aim to take at least one more scalp to draw level with Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka for the most wickets at the tournament thus far.
Shakib Al Hasan is out of the Bangladesh XI that beat Sri Lanka with the skipper sidelined due to a finger injury. Najmul Hossain Shanto will take the reins as the Bangladesh batter also did earlier in the tournament.
Bangladesh are well and truly out of contention for a semi-final berth but can turn their attention to clinching a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
A win over Australia would ensure Bangladesh finish above Sri Lanka and make it difficult for Netherlands to overtake their net run even with a victory over India, as the teams target a top-eight finish to the Cricket World Cup to qualify for the next 50-over event to be held in Pakistan.
Australia Playing XI: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Bangladesh Playing XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Tawhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
--ICC
