Australia’s upcoming ODI tour of Pakistan is expected to be without several of the team’s biggest stars, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc likely to remain in India for the Indian Premier League play-offs instead of joining the national team.
Cricket Australia’s white-ball tour of Pakistan begins with a three-match ODI series from 30 May to 4 June before the team travels to Bangladesh for an ODI and T20I series starting on 9 June. However, the scheduling clash with the IPL caused the Australian management a lot of selection pain.
The IPL phase of the league ends on May 24, while the playoffs and finals will run until May 31 in Ahmedabad. The Australian tour squad is expected to arrive in Pakistan on May 23, meaning the players involved in the IPL playoffs would miss at least part of the preparations for the tour and potentially the opening matches.
According to reports from Cricket.com.au, Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc are not expected to feature in either the Pakistan or Bangladesh leg of the tour. All three players are currently attached to franchises that are still fighting for the IPL playoffs.
Cummins leads Sunrisers Hyderabad after returning from injury, while Hazlewood has been one of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s standout performers with the ball. Starc also returned to Delhi Capitals after recovering from injury and quickly became a key figure in their bowling attack.
Several other Australian players involved in the IPL could still join the national side depending on how their teams finish the league stage. Punjab Kings trio Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis are among the names in contention along with Chennai Super Kings batsman Matt Short.
Players whose IPL teams do not qualify for the playoffs may be available in time for the Pakistan series. This group could include Lucknow Super Giants’ Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis, as well as Cameron Green, who is representing Kolkata Knight Riders this season.
Australia are also expected to have players returning from the Pakistan Super League. Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne are likely to be included in the squad, while goalkeeper Alex Carey should also feature in white-ball duties.
Fast bowler Nathan Ellis, who was ruled out of the IPL season due to injury during his stint with Chennai Super Kings, has reportedly resumed bowling and could also enter the selection calculations.
Australia last visited Pakistan for an ODI series in 2022 when the hosts secured a 2-1 series win.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
07 May 2026 14:15 IST
