Australia's Men's Cricket Team Set to Tour Pakistan for ODI Series
Australia's Upcoming ODI Series in Pakistan
Photo: @arslaniqbal122/X
Lahore, May 7: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday that the Australian men's cricket team will be visiting Pakistan later this month to participate in a three-match ODI series.
This series will be Australia's first ODI engagement in Pakistan since their last visit in March-April 2022, where they faced a 2-1 defeat. Earlier this year, Australia played a three-match T20I series in Pakistan, where they were swept 3-0 in Lahore.
According to the PCB, the Australian team is expected to arrive in Islamabad on May 23, with the first ODI scheduled for May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The subsequent matches will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 2 and June 4.
All matches are set to commence at 4:30 PM local time, with the toss taking place at 4 PM. Notably, this series will coincide with the playoff stage of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), with the first ODI occurring just a day before the IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Due to many of Australia's top white-ball players participating in the IPL 2026, the squad may arrive without several key players. However, those whose teams do not advance to the playoffs, such as ODI captain Mitch Marsh, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, and Cameron Green, could still make it in time for the first ODI.
Players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Travis Head might be rested to prepare for the Test series in Bangladesh scheduled for August. Meanwhile, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, and Matthew Short may also be given a break to focus on the upcoming white-ball series in Bangladesh in June.
Alex Carey, Adam Zampa, and Marnus Labuschagne, who recently participated in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), are anticipated to feature in the 50-over matches. Nathan Ellis has returned to bowling after recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him during the IPL, and Matthew Renshaw may also secure a spot in the team following his impressive debut ODI series against India last year.
As the reigning Men's ODI World Cup champions, Australia also competed in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, achieving a five-wicket victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 22. With the next Men's ODI World Cup approaching next year, this series offers both teams an opportunity to refine their strategies and build momentum in the 50-over format.
Series schedule:
May 23: Arrival of Australia in Islamabad
May 30: 1st ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
June 2: 2nd ODI at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
June 4: 3rd ODI at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore