Australia Names T20I Squad for Pakistan Tour Ahead of World Cup

Australia has announced a 17-member squad for their T20I series against Pakistan in readiness for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Injured players are given time to recover, with Mitch Marsh leading the team. New talents Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards are included following their Big Bash League success.

Australia announced its 17-member squad on Monday for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, slated for later this month in Lahore, as a preparatory move for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Notably, injured players Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David were not included to allow them recovery time ahead of the World Cup, with Mitch Marsh set to captain the side, according to details from cricket.au.

The three-match series against Pakistan runs from January 29 to February 1 in Lahore. Australia is set to commence its T20 World Cup campaign on February 11 against Ireland in Colombo. Emerging talents Mahli Beardman from the Perth Scorchers and Jack Edwards from the Sydney Sixers have been added to the squad after their standout performances in the Big Bash League (BBL).

Edwards leads his current BBL team with the most wickets, claiming 15 at an average of 18.33, while Beardman's eight wickets have been instrumental in the Scorchers' top-table status. Both players, though uncapped internationally, have been parts of Australia's white-ball squads in previous series, including India's tour last year.

From Australia's T20 World Cup lineup, ten players are set to participate in the Pakistan tour. Key players, such as all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and seamer Nathan Ellis, are rested to manage their workload before the World Cup. Joining Beardman and Edwards are players such as Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe, and Matt Renshaw.

Selection chair George Bailey expressed that the series serves as a valuable opportunity for rising players nearing selection to gain crucial experience with the World Cup squad in Pakistan. He noted the presence of experienced international players alongside promising newcomers like Beardman and Edwards, the latter of whom was part of the Australia squad during last year's ODI finale against India in Sydney.

The Australian T20I squad includes 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, and Adam Zampa, as per ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)