Australia to tour Pakistan for three-match ODI series from May 30
Synopsis
Australia's ODI tour of Pakistan from May 30 comes with a squad-strength caveat: the IPL 2026 playoffs overlap means several frontline players may not arrive until after their franchises' campaigns end. With the next World Cup looming, both teams are using the series to sharpen their 50-over combinations, but Australia's potential absences could hand Pakistan a tactical edge in a series where the hosts have won the last two bilateral meetings.
Key Takeaways
Australia arrives in Pakistan on 23 May for a three-match ODI series, their first since March-April 2022 .
First ODI: 30 May at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ; second and third matches: 2 June and 4 June at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore .
Pakistan won the last bilateral ODI series 2-1 in 2022 and swept the recent T20I series 3-0 .
IPL 2026 playoffs overlap may force Australia to field a depleted squad; Pat Cummins , Mitchell Starc , and Travis Head likely to be rested.
Series serves as World Cup preparation for both teams ahead of the next global ODI tournament in 2027.
Australia's men's cricket team will arrive in Pakistan on May 23 for a three-match ODI series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday. The tour marks Australia's first ODI assignment in Pakistan since March-April 2022, when the hosts claimed a 2-1 series victory. Earlier this year, Australia toured for a three-match T20I series, which Pakistan swept 3-0 in Lahore.
Match schedule and venues
The opening ODI will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30, with all three matches scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm local time and the toss at 4 pm. The series then shifts to Lahore, where the Gaddafi Stadium will host the second and third matches on June 2 and June 4 respectively.
IPL scheduling clash
The ODI series coincides with the IPL 2026 playoffs stage, with Australia's opening match scheduled a day before the IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This timing means several of Australia's leading white-ball players may be unavailable if their franchises advance deep into the tournament.
Expected squad composition
ODI captain Mitch Marsh, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, and Cameron Green could arrive in time for the opening match if their IPL franchises exit the playoffs early. However, pace bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, along with batter Travis Head, are likely to be rested ahead of the Test series in Bangladesh in August. Players like Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, and Matthew Short may also be given a break with the Bangladesh white-ball series in June in mind.
Returning and debutant players
Alex Carey, Adam Zampa, and Marnus Labuschagne, who recently featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), are expected to feature in the 50-over format. Nathan Ellis has returned to bowling after a hamstring injury sidelined him from IPL 2026, while Matthew Renshaw may earn selection following a strong showing in his debut ODI series against India last year.
Context and significance
Australia, the reigning Men's ODI World Cup holders, previously faced England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 22 February during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, securing a five-wicket victory. With the next ODI World Cup scheduled for next year, this series offers both teams an opportunity to refine their combinations and build momentum in the 50-over format ahead of the global tournament.
Point of View
Starc, and Head, this is not the full-strength side that won the last World Cup. Pakistan, conversely, has momentum: they've won the last two bilateral series and are playing at home. The real test for Australia will be whether the second-string players—Marsh, Carey, Zampa, and the returning Ellis—can bridge the gap. For Pakistan, this is a chance to consolidate their recent dominance before the World Cup cycle begins in earnest. The series matters less as a contest and more as a barometer of squad depth in both camps.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Australia's ODI series in Pakistan take place?
The three-match ODI series runs from 30 May to 4 June 2026. The first match is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 30 May, with the second and third matches at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 2 June and 4 June respectively.
Why might Australia's squad be depleted for the Pakistan tour?
The tour overlaps with the IPL 2026 playoffs, which concludes with the final on 31 May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Several of Australia's leading players—including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Travis Head—are expected to be rested or held back by their franchises if they advance in the tournament.
Who is expected to lead Australia's ODI squad in Pakistan?
ODI captain Mitch Marsh is expected to lead the side, provided his IPL franchise exits the playoffs early. Other key players likely to feature include Alex Carey, Adam Zampa, and Marnus Labuschagne, who recently played in the Pakistan Super League.
What is the historical context of Australia-Pakistan ODI series?
Australia last toured Pakistan for ODIs in March-April 2022, when Pakistan won 2-1. More recently, Pakistan swept Australia 3-0 in a T20I series earlier this year. Australia is the reigning ODI World Cup champion, while Pakistan has won the last two bilateral series between the teams.
Why does this series matter before the next World Cup?
With the next Men's ODI World Cup scheduled for 2027, both teams are using the series to fine-tune their 50-over combinations and gain momentum in the format. For Australia, it's a chance to test squad depth; for Pakistan, an opportunity to build on recent success.
