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Australia Set for ODI Return to Pakistan as PCB Announces Three-Match Series Schedule

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Lahore, May 2026 : Australia men’s national cricket team will return to Pakistan later this month for a three-match One Day International series, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday. The series will mark Australia’s first ODI tour of Pakistan since the memorable 2022 bilateral contest, which the hosts won 2-1.

According to the schedule released by the PCB, the Australian squad is expected to arrive in Islamabad on May 23 ahead of the opening match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30. The remaining two ODIs will be played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 2 and June 4.

All three matches are scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm local time, with the toss taking place at 4 pm.

The ODI series comes at an interesting time in the international cricket calendar as it overlaps with the playoff stage of the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League. The opening ODI in Rawalpindi will be played just one day before the IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Because of IPL commitments, Australia may travel to Pakistan without several of its frontline white-ball stars, especially players whose franchises qualify for the knockout stages. However, players eliminated earlier from the tournament could still join the squad in time for the series opener.

Among those who could feature are ODI captain Mitchell Marsh, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis and all-rounder Cameron Green.

Meanwhile, senior players such as Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Travis Head are likely to be rested as Australia prepares for an important Test tour of Bangladesh later this year.

The selectors are also expected to rotate younger players, with cricketers such as Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis and Matthew Short potentially being managed carefully ahead of another white-ball assignment in Bangladesh in June.

Australia are expected to rely on experienced names including Alex Carey, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne, all of whom recently featured in the Pakistan Super League. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis has also returned from injury and is in contention for selection.

The ODI series is expected to serve as valuable preparation for both teams ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, giving them an opportunity to test combinations and build momentum in the 50-over format.