Australia will rest five of its best players, including Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell, during a three-match Twenty20 series in Pakistan before the World Cup, selectors announced on Monday.
Nathan Ellis, Tim David, and Josh Hazlewood will also be absent from the series beginning later this month. The 17-man squad includes fringe players Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe, and Matt Renshaw.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which starts on February 7, chief selector George Bailey stated that the five were either recovering from injuries or having their workloads managed.
Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign will begin on February 11 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after they play Pakistan in Lahore on January 29, 31, and February 1.
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
