Australia Sends 'B-Grade' Squad to Pakistan, Rests Key Players Ahead of T20 World Cup

• Australia announced a 17-member squad for a three-match T20 series against Pakistan, starting January 29.
• The squad largely excludes players expected to feature in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, with key members like Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, and Nathan Ellis either injured or rested.
• Chief selector George Bailey cited injuries for Tim David (hamstring) and Josh Hazlewood (Achilles), while Cummins is also not fully fit.
• Maxwell and Ellis have been rested, creating opportunities for Big Bash League performers Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards, who could debut.
• The series, played entirely in Lahore, offers a chance for non-World Cup squad members like Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, and Matt Renshaw to compete for reserve spots.

Why It Matters: Australia prioritizes player rest and injury recovery by sending a second-string team to Pakistan before the T20 World Cup.