Mumbai: Defending champions Australia are set to lock horns with Pakistan at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton in Match 17 of the ICC World Cup 2019. Australia have managed to win two out of three matches in their march towards the World Cup trophy. The Aussies will be eager to bounce back after suffering defeat against India, where
they succumbed to Indian bowling attack while chasing a target of 353. Australia's all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of the clash and Mitchell Marsh is expected to replace him. Aaron Finch and David Warner are expected to lead Australia's batting order. The pace trio of Cummins, Starc and Coulter-Nile are likely to lead the pace attack.
On the other hand, Pakistan will be hoping to replicate performance which they showcased against favourites England. Pakistan missed the opportunity of seizing two crucial points after their last game against Sri Lanka was washed out due to rain. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka had to settle for a point each. Pakistan are currently eight in the points table.
Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz will be looking forward to providing an early breakthrough for Pakistan. Hasan Ali and Shoaib Malik have not lived up to their expectations yet and will be eager to prove their mettle in the mega-event.
Australia and Pakistan have played nine matches in the World Cup, with Australia winning five out of those matches. Australia are looking dominant on the paper but Pakistan also have the potential to turn the tables in their favour.
Rain interrupting the play has been a norm in the ongoing World Cup. Hence, showers are expected to halt the game.
Squads:
Australia:
Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins.
Pakistan: Shoaib Malik, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Imam-ul-Haq, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain.
Dream11: David Warner(C), Aaron Finch, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Mohammad Amir.
