MELBOURNE: World champions Australia suffered a major setback on Tuesday ahead of their three-match One-day International series in Pakistan after captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out with an ankle injury.

According to Cricket Australia (CA), wicket-keeper/batter Josh Inglis will lead the side in Pakistan in Marsh’s absence.

The 34-year-old Marsh, who also missed Lucknow Super Giants’ final match of the Indian Premier League season, will stay in Perth for treatment and further medical assessment.

Marsh has returned home having missed Lucknow Super Giants’ final IPL match last week.

“Marsh … will remain in Perth for further assessment and treatment until further notice,” said a CA spokesperson. “His availability for the white ball tour of Bangladesh will be determined in due course.”

The ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will be staged from May 30 to June 4. The first match will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the second and third fixtures are set for Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and 4.

Australia are also expected to give emerging pacer Ollie Peake an international debut as they reshape the squad following Marsh’s withdrawal.

The upcoming assignment will mark Australia’s first bilateral ODI tour of Pakistan since March-April 2022. On that occasion, Pakistan won the series 2-1.

Earlier this year, Australia also visited Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, with the hosts completing a 3-0 sweep at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Revised Australia ODI squad:

Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (captain/wicket-keeper), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2026