Concerns have been expressed in Pakistani cricket circles over the increasing pattern of visiting teams from SENA nations excluding important players for series in Pakistan, especially after a revamped Australia team lost the opening Twenty20 International by 22 runs.
For the current three-match preparation series, the touring Australians have rested its T20 World Cup-bound marquee players, including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, and Nathan Ellias.
The explanation offered was that these players were recuperating from injuries and receiving more time off before the T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7.
In the opening Twenty20 International on Thursday, Australia played three debutants in addition to resting captain Mitchell Marsh, veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, wicketkeeper batsman Josh Inglish, and first-choice pacers Scott Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis.
Many in Pakistan questioned how seriously Australia was taking the series because of these stars’ absence.
“They come here already without some of their main players and for the first match they don’t play their best players in the touring squad. I see it as an insult to Pakistan cricket fans,” PTI quoted cricket analyst and writer, Omair Alavi as saying.
Former Test captain Moin Khan claimed that Pakistan cricket was suffering as a result of Australia’s attempts to shield their players for the T20 World Cup.
“In recent times we have seen New Zealand, South Africa, Australia come with weakened teams to Pakistan. It is as if they are fulfilling their formality to play a series,” he said.
Pakistan had a fair chance to win the series against any squad Australia fielded, according to former Test batsman and top selector Haroon Rasheed, and they should now refrain from fielding their best eleven.
“It is a bit perplexing coming to play a three-match series so close to the World Cup and not fielding your best players when they have to play in similar conditions in the tournament,” PTI quoted Rasheed as saying.
This marks Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in any format since 2022.
According to a source close to the PCB, teams are resting key players for more crucial games and competitions due to the busy international schedule and expanding number of leagues.
“What team or players these countries send is not our concern. Being a bilateral series the main thing for us is commitments are fulfilled on time,” Rasheed added.
