Australia are set to tour Pakistan for a three-match ODI series later this month, with the opening match scheduled in Rawalpindi before the remaining two games move to Lahore. The itinerary comes at a sensitive time for the players involved, with several key names expected to be unavailable because the trip overlaps with the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Scheduling details for the Pakistan ODIs
The Australia squad is expected to land in Islamabad on May 23, giving them a short window to acclimatise ahead of the first ODI. The series then follows a tight sequence across the two venues.
- Arrival: Australia expected in Islamabad on May 23
- 1st ODI: May 30 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 2nd ODI: June 2 at Gaddafi Stadium
- 3rd ODI: June 4 at Gaddafi Stadium
Why several Australia stars may miss the tour
A major factor behind potential absences is the calendar clash with the IPL. The IPL regular season is set to conclude on May 24, while the playoffs are expected to run from May 26 to May 31. With that timing, Australia players contracted for IPL teams—particularly those involved deep into the playoffs—could face delays or conflicts with the Pakistan assignment.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are among the Australians who look likely to miss the three-game ODI tour due to the overlap. Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Cummins is joined by Hazlewood, along with fellow Australians Head, Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett, who are also considered near-certainties to be unavailable.
- Likely unavailable due to the IPL timing: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
- Sunrisers Hyderabad players expected to miss: Cummins, Hazlewood, Head, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett
That assessment is tied to the current IPL positions as well. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings are occupying the top two spots on the points table, which makes it more likely those players will be needed for the business end of the season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru—Hazlewood’s side—sit third and also appear poised for the playoffs.
Other teams’ standings add further texture to the availability picture. Starc’s Delhi Capitals are seventh and still have a mathematical route to the knockout stage, while Cameron Green’s Kolkata Knight Riders are eighth and would likely require an exceptional finishing run to qualify.
Who could be available for Australia
Not every Australia player is expected to be caught in the same scheduling squeeze. The ODI vice-captain Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are expected to be available, while Lucknow Super Giants are described as virtually out of the playoff race—reducing the chance their Australia contingent will have late IPL commitments.
Matt Short is another name to watch. He could become available if sixth-placed Chennai Super Kings fail to build momentum late in the campaign. Short has been on the fringes of Australia’s ODI set-up and availability would depend on how CSK’s season unfolds in the final stretch.
Context: past tours and what the series means
This Pakistan tour is also notable for being Australia’s first bilateral ODI visit to the country since their trip in March-April 2022. In that earlier series, Pakistan won 2-1.
Australia have, however, already played Pakistan in white-ball cricket this year, completing a three-match T20I series in which the hosts recorded a 3-0 sweep in Lahore. With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup approaching next year, the ODI assignment provides another chance for both sides to refine combinations and generate momentum in the 50-over format.
What happens next after the ODIs
After the ODI fixtures conclude, Australia are scheduled to return to Bangladesh for further white-ball action. The tour in Bangladesh includes three ODIs in Dhaka starting June 9, followed by three T20Is in Chattogram beginning June 17.
