The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced a three-match ODI series against Australia, with the tour set to take place right in the middle of the IPL 2026 playoffs. Australia will arrive in Islamabad on May 23 ahead of the opening ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30. The remaining two matches will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and June 4, respectively.
The timing of the series has immediately put focus on player availability, especially with IPL 2026 ending only on May 31. Several leading Australian players are currently involved in the IPL, and many could still be part of the playoffs when the Pakistan series begins.
That means Australia may initially travel without a few big names, including regular ODI captain Pat Cummins, whose Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) side remains in the playoff race. The IPL regular season ends on May 24, while the playoffs continue until the final in Ahmedabad on May 31.
Pakistan vs Australia ODI series schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| May 30 | 1st ODI | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| June 2 | 2nd ODI | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| June 4 | 3rd ODI | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Australian IPL players and franchises
Players whose teams fail to qualify for the playoffs could join the ODI squad earlier. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis from Lucknow Super Giants, along with Cameron Green from Kolkata Knight Riders, are among the names likely to become available sooner given their teams’ struggles this season.
On the other hand, players from franchises still in contention may miss the Pakistan leg entirely or join only later for the Bangladesh tour.
Punjab Kings currently sit on top of the IPL points table, which affects multiple Australians, including Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett and Cooper Connolly. Similarly, SRH remain in the top-four race, with Cummins and Travis Head central to their campaign.
| Franchise | Players |
|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins, Travis Head |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Josh Hazlewood, Tim David |
| Chennai Super Kings | Matt Short, Spencer Johnson |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Cameron Green |
| Delhi Capitals | Mitchell Starc |
Australia set for busy subcontinent stretch
This will be Australia’s first ODI assignment since hosting India last October. They beat India in that series, which was also Shubman Gill’s maiden ODI series as captain. After the Pakistan series, Australia will head straight to Bangladesh for an ODI and T20I tour beginning June 9.
Pakistan, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing 2-1 ODI series defeat in Bangladesh. Before facing Australia, they are also scheduled to tour Bangladesh again for a two-Test series following the PSL 2026.
Interestingly, Australia last toured Pakistan earlier this year as well, but for T20Is. Pakistan dominated that series 3-0 in Lahore. The two sides also featured in the Champions Trophy 2025 hosted in Pakistan, although rain disrupted multiple matches. This upcoming ODI series also marks Australia’s first bilateral 50-over tour of Pakistan since 2022, when Babar Azam’s side secured a 2-1 series win.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup slowly coming into focus, both teams are expected to use the series to test combinations. The T20 World Cup 2026 is gone, and the prep will now start for the big 50-over World Cup that will happen in Africa in September next year.
No Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc for PAK vs AUS
This might still the viewers in Pakistan but Cricket Australia (CA) seems to have decided that the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc won’t feature in the ODIs against Pakistan. Meanwhile, Cricbuzz has also reported that CA has assured IPL 2026 franchises that no Australian player will leave the tournament mid-way for international duties. A source told Cricbuzz that “Australian players will still be in the IPL and will complete their commitments.”
Australia are yet to pick a squad for the upcoming away series but they are looking to name a roster that doesn’t feature any Aussies who are likely to turn up at the IPL 2026 playoffs. They will also be looking to manage the workload of some players, including the aforementioned pacers. Travis Head and Cameron Green are also likely to get rest.
Cricket
ICC announces Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up fixtures, India to play England and West Indies
