Cricket Australia has signaled a major changing of the guard for the upcoming white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh, unveiling three distinct squads that balance high-performance workload management with a clear eye on the next generation of talent.
As the IPL 2026 season draws to a close, the selectors have confirmed that the Big Three – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – will be rested from both tours. The decision underscores CA’s determination to manage the physical toll on its leading multi-format stars ahead of a busy international calendar.
YOUTH FOR PAKISTAN
The tour of Pakistan, which consists of three ODIs from May 30, presents a unique challenge as it overlaps with playoffs and IPL finals. As a result, the Australian white-ball specialists, who still participate in the tournament, were left out of the Pakistan section.
In their absence, the team takes on an experimental hue.
Mitchell Marsh, who was with Lucknow Super Giants, will captain a group that features some notable recalls and potential debutants. Billy Stanlake and Riley Meredith return to the fold to provide raw pace on the flat decks of Rawalpindi and Lahore, while South Australian all-rounder Liam Scott and Victorian prodigy Oliver Peake earn first call-ups.
“The Pakistan series provides a great opportunity to see how our emerging players cope with the pressure of one of the most demanding tours in world cricket,” Chairman of Selectors George Bailey said via cricket.com.au.
IPL STARS RETURN TO BANGLADESH
As the plan moves to Bangladesh in June, the cavalry arrives. Arguably the world’s most dangerous white-ball opener, Travis Head will rejoin the squad for the three ODIs in Dhaka. He is joined by Punjab Kings trio Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis, who are all returning to international duty after IPL commitments.
The inclusion of Connolly and Bartlett highlights the selectors’ desire to reward form in the T20 leagues with opportunities in the 50-over format. Matthew Kuhnemann and Tanveer Sangha also retain their places in both ODI squads, reflecting the tactical necessity of top-class spinners on low-speed subcontinental surfaces.
The tour ends with a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh, where the team undergoes another shift. Tenacious all-rounder Aaron Hardie and pace sensation Spencer Johnson will enter the fray, along with the exciting Joel Davies, who has earned his first senior international call-up.
Josh Philippe also returns to the T20 set-up, providing a secondary wicket-taking option and top-order flexibility. The T20I squad seems designed with the next cycle of global tournaments in mind, focusing on versatility and impact players who can thrive in spin conditions.
AUSTRALIAN UNITS FOR PAK AND BAN TOURS
For Pakistan ODIs: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa.
For Bangladesh ODIs: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa.
For Bangladesh T20I: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe,
Pakistan ODIs
- May 30: First ODI, Rawalpindi – 5:00 PM IST
- June 2: Second ODI, Lahore – 5:00 PM IST
- June 4: Third ODI, Lahore – 5:00 PM IST
Bangladesh ODI
- June 9: First ODI, Dhaka – 10:30 am IST
- June 11: Second ODI, Dhaka – 10:30 am IST
- June 14: Third ODI, Dhaka – 10:30 am IST
Bangladesh T20Is
- June 17: First T20I, Chattogram – 1:30 PM IST
- June 19: Second T20I, Chattogram – 1:30 PM IST
- June 21: Third T20I, Chattogram – 1:30 PM IST
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
May 11, 2026 12:11 PM IST
