LAHORE: The 17-member Australian squad arrived in Lahore on Wednesday ahead of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, set to begin on Thursday at the Gaddafi Stadium.
The team will take a day’s rest before the series opener.
Recent reports indicate that skipper Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis are likely to miss the first match.
In their absence, Travis Head is expected to lead the side as stand-in captain. Both Marsh and Inglis were part of the Perth Scorchers squad that won their sixth Big Bash League title on Sunday, defeating the Sydney Sixers at Perth Stadium.
Australia will also be without Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis, all sidelined due to injuries. Glenn Maxwell has been rested as he prepares for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, starting next week.
The second and third T20Is will also be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on January 31 and February 1, respectively. The toss for each match is scheduled for 5:30 pm PKT, with the first ball set to be bowled at 6:00 pm PKT.
The series will provide vital match practice for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Pakistan has been drawn in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, while Australia is in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
This tour marks Australia’s third visit to Pakistan since March–April 2022, when they played a historic Test series, followed by an ODI series and a single T20I.
They also played three matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, including a narrow three-wicket T20I win at the Gaddafi Stadium on April 5, 2022.
Historically, Australia and Pakistan have met 28 times in T20Is, with Australia winning 14 matches and Pakistan 12. One match ended in a tie, and another produced no result.
Earlier today, the Pakistan Cricket Board, on its official X account, announced the commentators and official broadcasters for the Bank Alfalah presents VGOTEL Mobile Pakistan vs Australia T20I series 2026
🚨 Announcing the commentators and official broadcasters for the Bank Alfalah presents VGOTEL Mobile Pakistan vs Australia T20I series 2026 🎙️📺#MateWeAreReady | #PAKvAUS | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/cm3XBvUrxY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 28, 2026
Australia Squad:
Mitch 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, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.
