The cricket fraternity in Pakistan has taken offence to Cricket Australia (CA) sending a weakened team for the 3-match series played as preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Australia sends ‘B’ team to Pakistan
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, and Glenn Maxwell haven’t boarded the flight to Pakistan. However, barring Maxwell, all have injury concerns and are in rehabilitation. Cummins is even expected to miss all four group-stage matches. Maxwell, who was lacklustre in the Big Bash League, has been granted rest to rejuvenate himself.
Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, and Matthew Renshaw. These seven players have been picked for the Pakistan series but won’t be travelling to Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan hurt by selection decisions
Without taking injuries into account, several prominent figures have expressed displeasure over CA sending a depleted team. Moin Khan, former Pakistan Test captain, didn’t just bash Australia but other SENA countries for sending weakened teams to Pakistan, just so they can fulfill obligations.
“In recent times, we have seen New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia come with weakened teams to Pakistan. It is as if they are fulfilling their formality to play a series,” Moin Khan said, as per PTI.
“It is a bit perplexing coming to play a three-match series so close to the World Cup and not fielding your best players when they have to play in similar conditions in the tournament,” former Pakistan Test batter and chief selector Haroon Rasheed said.
Pakistan cricket analyst and writer Omair Alavi labelled CA’s decision as an insult to cricket fans in the nation, who were deprived of watching the best Australian players in action.
“They come here already without some of their main players, and for the first match, they don’t play their best players in the touring squad. I see it as an insult to Pakistan cricket fans,” he said.
Australia’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
