Why are Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc not playing ICC World Cup 2023, match 43 against Bangladesh?

Australia square off against Bangladesh in an ODI World Cup 2023 clash at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Saturday, November 11.

Australia, having already confirmed a semi-final berth, rested Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc for the encounter against the 'Bangla Tigers'. Steve Smith, who missed the previous game against Afghanistan after experiencing vertigo symptoms, is back in the playing XI. Sean Abbott is also in the side as he will be playing his first game in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh brought in Nasum Ahmed for the injured Shakib Al Hasan. The talismanic captain fractured his finger during Bangladesh's last game against Sri Lanka. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Shoriful Islam have also been left out of the side and Mahedi Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman have been brought back. 

Australia have won six games and lost two in the tournament thus far. They are on a six-match winning streak. On the other hand, Bangladesh have had a completely opposite result, winning two games and losing eight.

What did the captains say at the toss?

Pat Cummins won the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bowl first. He reckoned that there might be some swing in the initial overs as it is an early start. Cummins noted that his team has done well in patches and is yet to play the complete game. Stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said he would have batted first had he won the toss. The southpaw was hopeful of beating the former five-time champions and ending their World Cup campaign on a high.

"We are gonna have a bowl. There might be some swing in the air because it is early morning. Another chance to play well. We have got two changes. Maxwell and Starc have been rested to ensure they are good going into the semis. Smith and Sean Abbott are in. Seany getting his first game. In patches, we have done well. We still haven't played the complete game. We will like to focus on our own game. We are still on a high. Seeing the reactions all over the world," Cummins said.

Shanto said "We were looking to bat. Nasum is coming in. To be very honest, we will look to win this match. We will look to do it."

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

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