Cricket World Cup 2023: Pakistan's Predicted XI vs Australia - Will Babar Azam Change Team Composition?

The stage is all set for another exciting clash, as Australia and Pakistan prepare to go up against each other in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday. The match will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Australia, despite getting off to a disappointing start to the tournament, had something to smile about in their match against Sri Lanka. After a clinical display from their bowlers, Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh steered the side to their first win of the ICC World Cup 2023. Pakistan had a terrific start to the tournament. They were comprehensive against the Netherlands with the bat and ball in their opening match and took two points comfortably. Against Sri Lanka, their bowlers had a difficult outing, but Mohammad Rizwan and Abdulla Shafique's centuries took the side home.

In the highly-anticipated match against arch-rivals India, their side fell flat. Babar Azam got his first fifty of the tournament and was building a big partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, but a shocking collapse saw them lose eight wickets while scoring only 36 runs. Rohit Sharma's quickfire fifty denied any comeback for the Pakistani bowlers, who ended up losing the match by seven wickets.

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq

Abdullah Shafique might keep his place by banking on the century he scored against Sri Lanka in a tricky run chase. The 23-year-old batter might keep Fakhar Zaman out of the XI, who has been struggling for runs in ODIs this year. Shafique, who averages over 50 in Tests, is just getting going in ODIs and has played only six matches so far.

Imam-ul-Haq is another batter who has not been very consistent in ODIs this year. However, he has a brilliant record against Australia in the 50-over format, smashing two