Australia’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan, packed into just four days, offers a twofold opportunity: crucial preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and a platform for emerging players to experience international cricket.

Youngsters Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards are in line to make their international debuts, while Matthew Renshaw could complete a rare milestone by becoming a three-format international for Australia. Following the bilateral series, Australia will play one official warm-up match—once again against Pakistan—in Sri Lanka before beginning their World Cup campaign on February 11.

Series schedule

• First T20I: January 29 – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (10:00pm AEDT / 4:00pm PKT)

• Second T20I: January 31 – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (10:00pm AEDT / 4:00pm PKT)

• Third T20I: February 1 – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (10:00pm AEDT / 4:00pm PKT)

How to watch

The series will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, with Kayo offering a free trial for new subscribers.

Squads

Australia:
Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Injured quartet Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will miss the tour, while Glenn Maxwell has also been rested.

Cummins is expected to join Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign later in the tournament as he continues his recovery from a lumbar issue that restricted him to just one Test during the recent Ashes. Hazlewood remains sidelined with hamstring and Achilles concerns, while David and Ellis suffered hamstring injuries during the Big Bash League.

Maxwell, though not injured, endured a difficult BBL season with the Melbourne Stars. The 37-year-old has been given additional time to recharge ahead of what could be his final World Cup appearance.

As a result, Xavier Bartlett is the only specialist fast bowler from Australia’s World Cup squad set to feature in Pakistan. Fringe pacers Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott will have an opportunity to press their case, while Big Bash standout Mahli Beardman looks set to earn his first international cap.

Pakistan:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq

Babar Azam returns to Pakistan’s T20 side after leaving the Sydney Sixers camp on the eve of their Challenger final. The star batter will be keen to make an impact after a challenging debut BBL season in Australia.

Pakistan have also received a major boost with the return of left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has recovered from the knee injury that cut short his BBL stint with the Brisbane Heat. However, Haris Rauf was once again overlooked despite a strong season with the Melbourne Stars, where he claimed 20 wickets.

There was no place for Melbourne Renegades wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Rizwan either, with selectors backing Khawaja Nafay to continue behind the stumps following an impressive debut against Sri Lanka earlier this month.