Another big contest between the two top sides awaits us in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. It’s Pakistan vs Australia and expect both the sides coming into this contest with an aim to improve on many aspects of the game. Both teams have many issues to sort out.

Let’s start with the Aussies. Defeats vs India and then against South Africa really put their campaign off track right at the start. But they managed to open account against the Sri Lankans, who lack fire, form and key players. While Australia should be happy to finally get a win under their belt, they know they are still not at their best. Australia are five-time champions, they have won the most trophies in the history of the game. But their campaign so far has not shown the Australia of the past that we know.

It was nice to see how Adam Zampa returned with a bang. His four for 47 against Lanka really set up the win for the Australians. He was smart and skillful in that spell in Lucknow which bamboozled the Lankan batters and effected a collapse after such a good start.

Another plus is the form of Mitchell Marsh. While wickets fell at one end, he seemed to be playing on a different pitch altogether. With Travis Head still not fit, it was very important for Marsh to fire. But his opening partner David Warner needs some runs. He was not very happy with the dismissal in the last match but that’s just part of the game. Let’s hope, from Australia’s point of view, that Warner is back among runs. Steve Smith’s lack of runs is a huge concern too. I read somewhere that he has spent hours in nets in Bengaluru in build up to the match and that’s good to see. Smith is a sort of a batter who needs more balls in the middle of the bat to get back among runs.

Marnus Labuschagne, the No 4, has shown glimpses of brilliance in this World Cup but what Australia needs from him is big hundreds.

You don’t see the same killer instinct in them yet. As far as bowling is concerned, Cummins and Co were brilliant with the ball. Josh Inglis’ form is a huge plus. That sort of a knock boosts the confidence of a team. So, like I said earlier, Australia are still not firing as a collective force.

Pakistan’s problems are not very different from Australia. They too have displayed good performances here and there but when it comes to displaying a dominant show where almost everyone comes forward and contributes, that sadly for them has not happened yet.

Pakistan took heart from the fact earlier that despite their top-order not firing, the middle order came good in the first two matches. Saud Shakeel was a breath of fresh air vs the Netherlands, batting with a calm head and showing immense maturity. Mohammad Rizwan collected runs in abundance and looked in great touch, especially in that chase vs Sri Lanka. Abdullah Shafique came in for Fakhar Zaman and instantly made an impact. There was a Babar Azam fifty against India. But like Australia, all these knocks have come in different games. Except Rizwan, no one has shown consistency with the bat. That’s why you don’t see much confidence oozing out of that batting lineup.

Coming to their bowling, the pacers have not delivered together. The strength of the Pakistan team is their pace bowling. And this pace unit makes an impact when they hunt in a pack. Hasan Ali has done well and has been among wickets, but the others have not chipped in yet.

I will be interested to watch how Shaheen Shah Afridi goes as he has had his struggles with injuries in the last 18 months and of late has not looked at his brutal best.

I feel, for Pakistan to win, their fast bowlers’ form is crucial. If they can reduce the opposition to 3 for 8 inside three overs, then they are talking. The likes of Shaheen, Haris has consistently done so in the past. There’s no reason why they can’t do it again.

Not forgetting, the spin bowling department too has not done well very good. Shadab Khan has been ordinary with the ball.

Another major concern for Pakistan is the flu in the camp. I am hearing that the players who fell sick have recovered but it will be interesting to see whether all of them have become match fit or not.

It’s a tough call to choose a favourite among these two teams. Australia are still licking their wounds and are expected to come hard at the Pakistanis. Pakistan are Pakistan and, on their day, they are very hard to beat.

I will be keen to watch the players who are looking at the end of the tunnel in this World Cup. Someone like Warner, who is playing his last. He is hungry for runs. He didn’t like the way he got out vs Lankans. He is fired up and would be looking to make a big statement with the bat.