Pakistan and Australia are set to face each other in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden recently unveiled his Pakistan-Australia Combined XI, a dream team that amalgamates the best talents from both nations. In a surprising twist, Hayden’s lineup excluded Australian skipper Pat Cummins and the modern-day batting maestro Steve Smith, opting instead for a blend of promising talents and seasoned all-rounders.

Hayden’s XI kicks off with a formidable opening pair of David Warner and Travis Head. The combination of Head’s explosive strokeplay and Warner’s resilience at the crease promises a dynamic start to the innings. The pair’s ability to take on any bowling attack ensures that the team gets off to a flying start.

At numbers three and four, Hayden chose the Pakistani duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting sensation, is a natural choice for the number three position. His elegant strokeplay and ability to anchor the innings make him a valuable asset. Alongside him, Mohammad Rizwan’s consistency and ability to accelerate when required provide solid support in the middle order.

The middle order further boasts Australian firepower in the form of Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell at numbers five and six. Marsh’s prowess as a versatile all-rounder, capable of contributing with both bat and ball, adds depth to the lineup. On the other hand, Glenn Maxwell’s explosive hitting and handy off-spin make him a formidable asset in limited-overs cricket.

All-rounder Shadab Khan slots in at number seven, adding another layer of depth to the team. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball in crunch situations is invaluable, ensuring a well-rounded composition.

Babar Azam Is Matthew Hayden’s Captain For The Combined XI

Matthew Hayden picks his combined Australia and Pakistan XI 🤝#AUSvPAK | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/CmioHY6lfV

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 20, 2023

The bowling attack comprises a potent trio of fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. Shaheen’s ability to swing the ball and extract bounce makes him a vital asset in both the powerplay and death overs. Hazlewood’s metronomic accuracy and Starc’s express pace make them formidable seamers, capable of unsettling any batting order.

As the specialist spinner, Hayden picked Adam Zampa, whose leg spin offers a spin dimension that can create challenges for the opposition.

One of the standout choices in Hayden’s XI is the captaincy, which he entrusted to Pakistan’s Babar Azam. Azam’s maturity, leadership qualities, and consistency with the bat make him a strong contender for leading this star-studded team.

Matthew Hayden’s Pakistan-Australia Combined XI is a testament to the wealth of talent possessed by both nations. It is a lineup that blends the traditional strengths of Australian cricket with the emerging potential of Pakistan.

Matthew Hayden’s Combined XI:

Travis Head, David Warner, Babar Azam(C), Mohammad Rizwan, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, and Mitchell Starc

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