MELBOURNE, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia will rest five top players, including Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell, for a three-match Twenty20 series in Pakistan ahead of the World Cup, selectors said Monday. Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will also skip the series starting later this month. Their absence opened the door to fringe players Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw, who come into the 17-man squad. Chief selector George Bailey said the five were either returning from injury or having their loads managed ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka which begin on February 7. Australia will play Pakistan in Lahore on January 29, 31 and February 1, before travelling to Sri Lanka where they are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 19, 2026 11:20 UTC