Bangladesh asked to bat against Australia

Australia won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bat first in the 43rd match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Saturday.

Bangladesh vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the team in absence of captain Shakib Al Hasan.

Bangladesh made two changes as they brought in left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and off-spinner Sheikh Mahedi Hasan in place of pacers Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Shoriful Islam.

On the other hand, Steven Smith and Sean Abbott came into the Australia playing eleven replacing Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc.

Bangladesh, currently sticking to the eighth position on the points table, will not be qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan if they are not among the top eight in this tournament. They’d like to get two more points to finish the disappointing tournament, where they could win just two matches.

Australia, on the other hand, would like to continue their winning momentum before facing South Africa in the semi-final. Even though Australia have won six consecutive matches, after such a rocky start, their form has been patchy at times. They’ve been relying on individual brilliance – none more so than Maxwell’s tour de force – rather than a collective.

Australia still face selection issues in a bid to find the right balance. They have several players struggling for consistency as Australia look to produce a more complete performance against an opponent out of semi-final contention.

Playing XI’s:

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Australia vs Bangladesh head-to-head records:

Australia and Bangladesh have played 21 ODIs so far. Australia have won 19 of those. One of those matches did not produce any results. When they faced off in June 2019 during the World Cup, Australia put up 381/5 in 50 overs. Bangladesh fought well and scored a heroic 333/8 in their 50.

In World Cups, these two teams have played against each other 4 times. While one of them did not produce any results, Australia won the remaining 3.

Last result: Australia won by 48 runs (Nottingham; 2019)