Australia have announced a 17-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan that begins on January 29. Five members of their 2026 T20 World Cup squad — Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis — did not make the cut due to injury and workload reasons.
Chief selector George Bailey said Tim David has suffered a minor ‘setback’ in his recovery from a hamstring injury but would likely be fit in time for the marquee event in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The same goes for Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from an Achilles problem and is targeting a return for the warm-up games at the World Cup. Cummins is also yet to recover fully from a stress injury.
Maxwell and Ellis have been rested, which has
allowed fast-bowler Mahli Beardman and all-rounder Jack Edwards to be rewarded for their excellent performances in the Big Bash League with call-ups. Beardman, who has eight wickets at an average of 30.25 in the T20 league, and Edwards, who has collected 15 wickets at 18.33, could make their international debuts in the series, which will be played entirely in Lahore.
Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe, and Matt Renshaw have also been included in the team, despite not being part of the World Cup. Bailey suggested that all of them could fight for traveling reserve spots for the tournament.
“The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan,” Bailey said. “Some are already experienced international players along with Mahli Beardman who has been with the group a number of times and Jack Edwards who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year.”
Australia’s full squad for Pakistan series
Mitchell Marsh (C), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
