Australia's top pacers miss Pakistan ODIs due to IPL overlap in 2026

Australia will likely field a weakened ODI squad for Pakistan and Bangladesh tours due to IPL playoffs clashing with travel plans.

Tour schedule details The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Australia's tour will start on May 30 in Rawalpindi with the final two ODIs on June 2 and June 4 in Lahore. This leg comes after three T20Is played before the T20 World Cup in January, with the ODI fixtures shifted to May-June because of a tight schedule. After Pakistan, Australia will head straight to Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20Is beginning June 9. ## IPL playoff impact on squad The Indian Premier League's regular season ends on May 24, followed by playoffs from May 26 to May 31. Australia's ODI squad is scheduled to leave for Pakistan on May 23, meaning players involved in the playoffs will likely miss the tour. Players like Cummins, Hazlewood, Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett are expected to be unavailable as their teams Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings are currently first and second on the table, with Hazlewood's Royal Challengers Bengaluru in third place. ## Partial availability for Australia Starc's Delhi Capitals are seventh, while Cameron Green's Kolkata Knight Riders are eighth and could advance with strong results. However, vice-captain Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis may be available as Lucknow Super Giants are almost out of playoff contention. Matt Short is another potential inclusion as he has been close to the ODI team, with Chennai Super Kings currently sixth. ## Risk management for key bowlers Even if available, Cricket Australia is unlikely to risk Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc for the Pakistan or Bangladesh series unless selectors and medical staff see a need to keep them bowling after late IPL entries due to injuries. The priority is to keep them fresh ahead of a demanding stretch of 20 (possibly 21) Tests over 12 months, starting with a home series against Bangladesh in August. ## ODI captain Cummins' workload Cummins has played only two white-ball internationals since Australia's 2023 World Cup win, both in November 2024. If he skips the tours, his next ODI assignment could be the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa in September, serving as preparation for the South Africa Test tour in October. ## Batting and all-rounder considerations Travis Head, a key batter across formats, may be rested after the IPL to prepare for a demanding schedule ahead. Cameron Green remains a first-choice player despite form concerns, and selectors might include him for tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh to gain experience in spin-friendly conditions, which could be relevant for the 2027 Test series in India. As seen before the T20 World Cup, Australia may opt for a youthful squad despite the availability of experienced players like Alex Carey, Adam Zampa, Marnus Labuschagne, and Matt Renshaw. ## Injury updates and uncapped players Nathan Ellis has reportedly returned to bowling after recovering from a hamstring tendon injury that ended his home summer stint and kept him out of IPL participation. Legspinner Tanveer Sangha, young Victoria batter Ollie Peake, and uncapped spin-bowling allrounders Joel Davies and Nikhil Chaudhary have traveled to Brisbane to train with the coaching staff this week, with more camps planned before departure.