Overview
- Pakistan’s board confirmed Thursday a three-ODI Australia tour with games on May 30 in Rawalpindi and June 2 and 4 in Lahore, with the visitors due in Islamabad on May 23.
- Cricket Australia said Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will skip the Pakistan trip, underscoring the squeeze created by the IPL playoffs that run through May 31.
- The schedule means Australians still involved in the IPL could miss at least the first ODI, while those out of contention may link up earlier with the touring party.
- Selectors are yet to name squads, with local reports tipping Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis to lead in Pakistan, which remains unconfirmed pending CA’s announcement.
- Separate reports say England and Sri Lanka have agreed in principle to an ODI tri-series in Pakistan in October–November, likely in Lahore and Karachi, while India’s BCCI published a busy A-team and youth home slate against Australia and England as 2027 World Cup preparation builds.