Pakistan, fresh from their impressive ODI series victory, are now eyeing a rare white-ball series double on Australian soil, while the hosts, fielding a severely depleted side, are focused on building for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
Australia has faced criticism for supposedly not prioritizing the ODI format, following their unexpected 2-1 loss to Pakistan in the 50-over series. Now, the Australians are fielding a similarly weakened squad for the upcoming T20I series, with several key players sidelined. Three of their regular T20I bowlers, as well as captain Mitchell Marsh and opener Travis Head, are unavailable, providing Pakistan with an opportunity to complete a rare series victory in both formats on Australian soil. The Pakistani fast bowlers—minus Mohammad Hasnain—will be crucial as they take on an underperforming Australian batting unit in the three-match T20I series beginning Thursday.
However, Australia’s focus is less on the immediate results of this series and more on long-term planning. This series is part of their build-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, following their exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Super Eight stage. The team has already started transitioning, experimenting with new combinations in their recent UK tour, where they played T20Is against Scotland and England.
The leadership dynamic has shifted, with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis taking on the role of stand-in captain for this series. He had also led the team in the final ODI against Pakistan in Perth. Inglis, who is a vital part of the Australian top order, is likely to bat at No. 3 after a standout century in Scotland. Alongside him, Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk will open the batting for Australia in T20Is, marking the first time the two will partner together at the top of the order. Fraser-McGurk, who has been more comfortable in the T20 format, will be tested by Pakistan’s fast bowlers as he competes with Short for a permanent spot in Australia’s T20I lineup.
Australia will also see the return of Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, and Spencer Johnson from injury, as they join Sean Abbott in an attempt to strengthen their T20 bowling attack. With Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly both unavailable, the focus will be on players like Ellis and Bartlett to establish themselves in Australia’s new-look T20 squad.
For Pakistan, the series marks their return to T20I cricket after a disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they failed to make it past the Super Eight stage. The team has faced significant criticism for their lack of aggression and strategic approach, particularly under the captaincy of Babar Azam, who was later replaced by Mohammad Rizwan in the white-ball formats. While the team has had some stability in the ODI series, they will need to adjust their batting strategy for the T20I series against an understrength Australian side.
Key players for Pakistan will include Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who remain pivotal in the batting lineup. However, the team’s ability to adapt their batting strategies under the T20I format, with a focus on faster scoring, will be critical. Pakistan’s bowling attack, which was instrumental in their ODI series win, will need to replicate that success against Australia’s fragile batting order. Changes in the batting lineup are also expected, with Saim Ayub, who had an excellent outing in the ODI series, missing out on a spot in the T20I squad.
In the spotlight will be Tim David, Australia’s powerful middle-order hitter. At 28, David has faced challenges in maintaining consistency as a finisher, a notoriously tough role in T20 cricket. However, the team management has identified his underutilization in the World Cup and is keen on giving him more time at the crease before the final overs. David may be slotted into the No. 5 position during this series, offering him the chance to build his innings.
For Pakistan, Babar Azam’s performance will be critical, especially after his unhurried display in the ODI series. While he has been in solid form, the challenge will be to ramp up his strike rate and adapt to the demands of T20I cricket. His ability to accelerate the scoring will be under scrutiny as he looks to lead Pakistan’s batting charge.
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Australia will field a significantly changed side from their last T20I in September, with Head, Connolly, and Cameron Green all unavailable for selection. Glenn Maxwell returns to the squad after resting during the T20I leg of the UK tour, while Ellis, Bartlett, and Johnson return from injury. The pace attack will feature some combination of Ellis, Abbott, Bartlett, and Johnson, along with Adam Zampa, who will anchor the spin department. Rotation is expected to play a role throughout the series.
Pakistan Squad:
- Mohammad Rizwan (captain/wicketkeeper)
- Abbas Afridi
- Agha Salman
- Arafat Minhas
- Babar Azam
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper)
- Irfan Khan
- Jahandad Khan
- Naseem Shah
- Omair Yousuf
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Sufiyan Muqeem
- Usman Khan
Australia Squad (Probable):
- Matt Short
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Josh Inglis (captain/wicketkeeper)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Tim David
- Marcus Stoinis
- Aaron Hardie
- Nathan Ellis/Sean Abbott
- Xavier Bartlett
- Spencer Johnson
- Adam Zampa
Pitch and Conditions:
The Gabba, which has hosted only one professional game this season—a WBBL fixture—is expected to offer a pitch favorable for fast bowlers, with pace and bounce. The weather is expected to be warm and humid, with the possibility of rain or thunderstorms. The conditions should also assist swing bowlers, adding to the challenge for both teams.
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Stats and Trivia:
- Since the dramatic 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final in Dubai, Pakistan and Australia have met just once in T20I cricket, in Lahore during 2022.
- Pakistan has never won a T20I series in Australia, having lost three of their four encounters, with one match abandoned.
- Josh Inglis will be Australia’s third T20I captain in as many matches, following in the footsteps of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. This marks the fourth time Australia has had three different captains in consecutive T20Is, following similar instances in 2022-23, 2016, and 2007.
The series presents an exciting opportunity for both teams, with Australia looking to rebuild and Pakistan aiming to capitalize on their momentum from the recent ODI series victory.
