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Australia to Tour Pakistan for Three-Match ODI Series Starting May 30

Australia's men's cricket team will tour Pakistan for a three-match ODI series starting May 30, 2026, marking their first ODI assignment in Pakistan since 2022. The series will be played at Rawalpindi and Lahore, with matches scheduled on May 30, June 2, and June 4. Several top Australian players may be absent due to IPL 2026 commitments, with players like Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis potentially available. The series provides both teams an opportunity to fine-tune combinations ahead of the next ODI World Cup.

Key Points: Australia Pakistan ODI Series 2026: Full Schedule

  • Australia to play three ODIs in Pakistan from May 30 to June 4
  • Series starts at Rawalpindi, then moves to Lahore
  • Several top Australian players may miss due to IPL commitments
  • Series will clash with IPL 2026 playoffs stage
  • Both teams aim to prepare for next year's ODI World Cup
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Australia to tour Pakistan for three‑match ODI series from May 30

Australia's men's cricket team will play a three-match ODI series in Pakistan from May 30 to June 4, 2026, at Rawalpindi and Lahore. Key players may miss due to IPL.

"The series presents both teams with another chance to fine-tune their combinations and gain momentum in the 50-over format. - PCB statement"

Lahore, May 7

The Australia's men's cricket team will arrive in Pakistan later this month for playing a three‑match ODI series, said the Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday.

The series marks Australia's first ODI assignment in Pakistan since their tour in March‑April 2022, where the hosts won by 2-1. Earlier this year, Australia toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, where the hosts completed a 3-0 clean sweep in Lahore.

As per a PCB statement, the touring Australian side are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on May 23, with the opening ODI to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30. The action will then shift to Lahore, where the Gaddafi Stadium will host the second and third matches on June 2 and June 4, respectively.

All three fixtures are set to begin at 4.30 pm local time, with the toss scheduled for 4 pm. The series will also clash with the playoffs stage of 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), with the opening game to happen a day before the final takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

With several of Australia's leading white‑ball players involved in IPL 2026, the squad may arrive in Pakistan without many frontline names. The players whose franchises fail to reach the playoffs could still make it in time for the opening ODI - like ODI captain Mitch Marsh, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and Cameron Green.

The likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Travis Head may be given rest to focus on the Test series in Bangladesh in August, while Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, and Matthew Short could be handed some breather with an eye on playing in the white-ball series in Bangladesh in June.

Alex Carey, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne, who recently played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), are expected to line up in the 50‑over format, while Nathan Ellis has returned to bowling after a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the IPL and Matthew Renshaw may also land a spot in the team after good showing in his debut ODI series against India last year.

Australia, the current Men's ODI World Cup holders, also played in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, registering a five‑wicket win against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 22. With the next edition of the Men's ODI World Cup set to happen next year, the series presents both teams with another chance to fine-tune their combinations and gain momentum in the 50-over format.

Series schedule

May 23: Australia arrive in Islamabad

May 30: 1st ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

June 2: 2nd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

June 4: 3rd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

- IANS

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Reader Comments

J
James A
I wonder if any Indian players like Virat or Rohit would consider playing in Pakistan one day. The atmosphere in Rawalpindi and Lahore is electric for big matches. But given our political situation, unlikely. The Aussie-Pak series might be the closest we get to seeing top talent in Pakistan.
K
Kavya N
Honestly, scheduling an ODI series during the IPL playoffs is not ideal. Many Indian fans will be glued to the IPL, and the Aussie squad will be weakened. PCB should have timed it better. But glad Pakistan is hosting international cricket again after so long.
R
Rajesh Q
Yaar, as a cricket fan from India, I'd love to see Pakistan vs Australia full-strength series. But every time there's a Pakistan tour, big players take rest - happens even when they tour India. Kabhi kabhi lagta hai cricket boards sirf paise ke liye khelte hain. Fans ki toh koi kadar nahi.
S
Sarah B
Interesting that Nathan Ellis is back. He's had a tough IPL with injury. The Gaddafi Stadium crowd will be beautiful to see - Lahore has such passionate cricket fans. The 2026 World Cup preparation angle is smart for both teams.
D
Deepak U
Cricket diplomacy at its finest! No matter the political tensions, sports brings people together. I remember when Pakistan toured India in 2023 for the World Cup - the hospitality was incredible. Hope someday Indian team goes to Pakistan too. Until then, at least we can watch Australia play there!

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