RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Australia begin a three-match One-day International series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, with both sides turning their attention towards the 2027 ICC World Cup and seeking answers to selection questions that have emerged over the past few months.
While the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia remains 16 months away, ODI opportunities are becoming increasingly limited, making every bilateral series significant in shaping combinations and identifying players capable of filling specialist roles.
The opening fixture also carries added significance for the hosts as it will mark Pakistan’s 1,000th ODI appearance. Pakistan become only the third team after Australia and India to reach the landmark, adding a layer of historical importance to a contest that already promises intrigue.
Pakistan enter the series after a 2-1 defeat in Bangladesh earlier this year, but the selectors have once again reshaped the squad as they continue their search for the right balance ahead of the global event.
Experienced trio Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan return to the ODI setup, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who led Pakistan to a memorable ODI series victory in Australia in late 2024, has been left out.
The omission of Rizwan has generated considerable discussion, but captain Shaheen Shah Afridi insisted the door remains open for the experienced batter and stressed that the focus remains on broadening Pakistan’s options before the World Cup.
Pakistan will also be without injured openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, forcing the management to look at alternative top-order combinations. Uncapped players Rohail Nazir, Arafat Minhas and Ahmed Daniyal have been included as the selectors continue to assess emerging talent.
Despite the changes, much of the spotlight will inevitably fall on Babar. The former captain returns after missing the Bangladesh series and does so on the back of an impressive Pakistan Super League campaign that appeared to answer some of the criticism directed at his strike-rate and tempo. Pakistan will hope his return provides stability to a batting unit that struggled for consistency in Bangladesh.
Shaheen, meanwhile, believes the ongoing experimentation is a necessary part of the team’s long-term planning.
“When you are preparing a team for the World Cup, you have to provide opportunities to new players,” the left-arm pacer in the pre-series press conference at the venue here on Friday. “The preparations have been good and everyone is eager to contribute.”
Australia, too, arrive with one eye firmly fixed on the future, although their plans have been complicated by the absence of several first-choice players.
Regular captain Pat Cummins, pace spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and explosive opener Travis Head are all unavailable after recent commitments in India’s T20 league and subsequent workload management plans. Stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh was initially scheduled to lead the tour but has since been ruled out with an ankle injury, leaving wicket-keeper-batter Josh Inglis in charge.
The depleted squad nevertheless contains a healthy mix of experience and youth. Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis provide a seasoned core, while 19-year-old batter Ollie Peake and all-rounder Liam Scott could be handed international debuts.
Perhaps the most eye-catching selection is Billy Stanlake, who returns to Australia’s ODI setup after a seven-year absence. Standing well over two metres tall and capable of generating steep bounce, the fast bowler represents part of Australia’s broader effort to develop pace resources ahead of the next World Cup.
Inglis acknowledged the absence of several senior players but expressed confidence in the depth available to Australia.
“It’s disappointing to lose Mitch and some other players, but we have some exciting talent in the squad,” he said. “Pakistan are a seriously good cricket team and they are not to be taken lightly.”
The series continues a rivalry that has remained competitive in recent years despite Australia’s overall dominance in the head-to-head record. Of the 111 ODIs played between the sides, Australia have won 71 and Pakistan 36. However, Pakistan have claimed each of the last two bilateral ODI series between the teams by a 2-1 margin — first at home in 2022 and then in Australia in 2024.
Conditions could prove a decisive factor over the coming week. Pakistan is currently experiencing intense summer temperatures, prompting organisers to schedule all three matches as day-night fixtures beginning at 4:30pm. Even then, the heat is expected to test both sides, particularly the visitors, who have arrived from Australian winter conditions.
Rawalpindi is forecast to be slightly cooler than earlier in the week, although thunderstorms remain a possibility. Equally significant will be the likelihood of heavy evening dew, which could make chasing easier and place added importance on the toss.
For Pakistan, the series offers a chance to celebrate a major milestone while beginning a fresh ODI chapter. For Australia, it is an opportunity to test the depth that has long been a hallmark of their white-ball success.
Most importantly, for both teams, the road to the 2027 World Cup starts to become a little clearer from Saturday.
Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2026
