Australia Set to Tour Pakistan for ODI Series Amid IPL Conflicts

Australia is preparing for a three-match ODI series in Pakistan, but several star players may be unavailable due to overlapping IPL commitments. The series, which begins on May 30, marks Australia's first ODI tour to Pakistan since 2022. With the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup on the horizon, both teams are eager to build momentum. Read on for details about player availability and the full match schedule.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 8, 2026, 02:17 IST

Australia's Upcoming ODI Series in Pakistan

Pakistan is gearing up to welcome Australia for a three-match ODI series later this month, with games slated to take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

However, several key Australian players, including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, are likely to miss this tour due to scheduling conflicts with the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, as reported by the ICC.

The IPL regular season wraps up on May 24, followed by playoffs from May 26 to May 31. Australia is expected to arrive in Islamabad on May 23, just ahead of the first ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30. The series will then shift to Gaddafi Stadium for the second and third ODIs on June 2 and June 4, respectively.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Cummins, along with teammates Hazlewood, Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett, are almost certain to be unavailable, as their teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, currently lead the IPL standings. Hazlewood's Royal Challengers Bengaluru is also in playoff contention, sitting in third place.

Meanwhile, Starc's Delhi Capitals are in seventh place but still have a chance to qualify, while Cameron Green's Kolkata Knight Riders are in eighth and would need a remarkable turnaround to make the playoffs.

On a positive note, ODI vice-captain Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are anticipated to be available, as Lucknow Super Giants are nearly out of the playoff race.

Additionally, Matt Short could join the squad if sixth-placed Chennai Super Kings fail to secure a late playoff push; he has been on the periphery of Australia's ODI team.

This tour marks Australia's first bilateral ODI series in Pakistan since their last visit in March-April 2022, where Pakistan emerged victorious with a 2-1 series win.

Earlier this year, Australia played a three-match T20I series in Pakistan, where the hosts achieved a clean sweep with a 3-0 victory in Lahore.

As the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup approaches next year, this series offers both teams a valuable opportunity to refine their combinations and gain momentum in the 50-over format.

After the ODI series, Australia will head back to Bangladesh for six white-ball matches, including three ODIs in Dhaka starting June 9 and three T20Is in Chattogram beginning June 17.