Steve Smith ignored: Australia announce 17-member squad for T20I series vs Pakistan: Maxwell, Ellis rested, 2 debutants in injured stars' absence

Cricket Australia have named a 17-member squad for the three-T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards may make their T20I debuts as Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis have been rested for the tour. Also, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are yet to make their comeback as they are recovering from their respective injuries.

Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe and Matt Renshaw have been picked in the 17-member squad as well. These five players had missed a spot in Australia's T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

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Australia's chief selector George Bailey sees it has an opportunity for players who could not make it to the T20 World Cup squad.

"The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan," Bailey said.

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"Some are already experienced international players along with Mahli Beardman who has been with the group a number of times and Jack Edwards who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year."

The T20I series will kick-off on January 29 and end of February 1. All three T20Is will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

Australia’s squad for T20I series vs Pakistan

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

No Steve Smith again

Smith couldn't even break into the 17-member T20I squad despite stellar form for Sydney Sixers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. Smith scored a 42-ball century against Sydney Thunder featuring humongous sixes but he could not sneak into the top order. Australia's top-order already features skipper Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and Cameron Green. As backup, they have Matthew Short. However, Smith's Sixers' teammate Phillippe and Brisbane Heat's Matthew Renshaw got a chance ahead of him despite the 36-year-old's heaps of experience in the Asian conditions.