M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for AUS vs PAK ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 18

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M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will stage it's first match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 on Friday (October 20) when record champions Australia take on 1992 winners Pakistan in match 18.

Pat Cummins-led Australia come into the match on the back of a victory that stopped a two-match slide, while Babar Azam's Pakistan, who opened their campaign with back to back wins, are fresh from a demoralising defeat.

Australia lost to India in Chennai and South Africa in Lucknow, where they stopped the losing run with a win against Sri Lanka, while Pakistan, who beat Netherlands and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, suffered a collapse against India in Ahmedabad.

Weather has not interrupted both Australia and Pakistan's matches so far in the World Cup, but the South Africa vs Netherlands match was curtailed after rain delayed the start in Dharamsala. Bengaluru also has witnessed rains in the past few days.

The venue in Bengaluru has produced some high-scoring games. So, how will the weather and pitch conditions be for AUS vs PAK clash in Bengaluru? Will rain have an impact? Will dew be a factor in the match?

With some parts of India witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, here is a look at the Bengaluru weather forecast and the M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch report for AUS vs PAK 18th ICC World Cup match:

Bengaluru Weather Forecast on October 20

There is no threat of rain in Bengaluru on Friday (October 20) or in the lead up to match. It is expected to be a day for hazy sunshine with temperatures touching 31° C in the noon and reducing to 23° C at the closing stages, according to AccuWeather.

As per Weather Channel, there is forecast for a cloudy day, but there is no chance of rain with temperatures hovering around 29-30° C in the noon and 24-27° C during the evening. So, weather is unlikely to play spoilsport in the AUS vs PAK match in Bengaluru.

Even if it rains, the excellent drainage system in the Bengaluru venue, allows play to resume quickly in case of stoppages. So, only a long-spell of shower could wipe out play in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. But there is zero percent chance of rain on October 20.

However, like many other venues in the 2023 World Cup, dew could be a factor in the latter stages of the second innings in Bengaluru, meaning the team chasing may have an extra advantage. So, how is the Bengaluru wicket going to play?

M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch report for AUS vs PAK World Cup match

Three pitches with one on stand by have been selected by the ICC in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Three red soil pitches will stage the 5 World Cup 2023 matches.

The red soil wickets usually tend to offer pacers some assist in the early stages with spinners coming into play as the game progresses, but some venues with red soil wickets have also been batters paradise. And M Chinnaswamy Stadium in one such venue.

The average first innings score in the 26 ODIs hosted by the venue is 260. The most recent ODI in 2020 saw India chase down 287 with some ease. Before that match, Australia defended a total of 334 against India in 2017. In 2013, India posted the highest total at the venue - 383.

This is the venue where Ireland stunned England in the 2011 World Cup by chasing down a target of 328. So, the fans and audience in the stadium are definitely in for some entertainment if the wicket holds true for the batters.

Over the years, it's been an even share of wins for teams chasing and batting first. The captains will be tempted to chase especially with the dew factor in mind. However, the recent matches in the World Cup may force the captain to put runs on the board and defend the score.