Big Names Missing As Australia Add Fresh Faces To Squad For Pakistan ODIs

Cricket Australia (CA) have announced their squad for the upcoming ODI series against the Pakistan national cricket team, with young batter Oliver Peake and promising all-rounder Liam Scott receiving their first senior team call-ups.

The upcoming ODI series between Pakistan vs Australia will start on May 30. It is going to be a fascinating contest as both teams have a huge history of competitive matches. However, a number of senior players, including captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, have been rested as they prepare for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh.

The selectors have gone with a different-looking squad this time, bringing in a combination of young players and familiar names returning to the side. Billy Stanlake has been recalled to the national team for the first time since 2019 after dealing with multiple injury problems, while Riley Meredith has also made his return to the ODI setup after last featuring in 2024.

Players taking part in the final stages of the ongoing IPL 2026 will not be available for the Pakistan ODI series. Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis are expected to join the squad later in Bangladesh once their IPL duties are completed.

Speaking about the squad, Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said that giving opportunities to the young players is an important priority of the management, which is why some fresh faces have been selected for the Pakistan ODIs.

"It's always exciting to see new players get an opportunity to play international cricket and be a part of the national team. The blend of experienced players coupled with new or returning players will provide a nice mix for these subcontinent tours.” said Australia’s national selection chair, George Bailey.

He further added that Australia will continue to test young players in the coming months, as it will help to build a strong pool for players for the team.

"Continuing to provide opportunities for players to develop across a broad range of conditions and experiences is important and will continue to be a focus over the next 18 months to two years." said George Bailey.

Australia Squad 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 and Adam Zampa

Pakistan vs Australia ODI Series Schedule

• May 30: First ODI, Rawalpindi Stadium
• June 2: Second ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• June 4: Third ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore