Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match: Australia’s regular T20I captain Mitchell Marsh is not playing in the first T20I against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, January 29, 2026. Travis Head is leading the side in his absence. Marsh has been rested after a long and successful Big Bash League 2025-26 campaign, where he played a key role in Perth Scorchers’ sixth title win. The decision was taken to manage his workload ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, who won the toss, chose to bat first in Lahore. Shaheen Shah Afridi returns to the Pakistan side after recovering from a knee ligament injury sustained during the Big Bash League. Salman Mirza joins him as the only other seam bowler. Babar Azam are following his poor run in the recent Big Bash League.
Australia field a new-look side led by Travis Head. The visitors hand T20I debuts to batter Matt Renshaw, seam-bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards, and fast bowler Mahli Beardman.
AUS vs PAK 1st T20I Playing XIs
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
Australia: Travis Head (c), Matt Short, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman
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