Australia Debuts Three Newcomers in T20I Series Opener Against Pakistan
Australia is set to debut three players—Mahli Beardman, Jack Edwards, and Matthew Renshaw—in the opening match of the T20I series against Pakistan. Travis Head will lead the Australian side for the first T20I as Mitch Marsh is resting. Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss.
These three debutants are not part of Australia's T20 World Cup squad but have been given an opportunity due to injuries to key players including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, and a managed Glenn Maxwell.
Meet the Debutants
Matthew Renshaw (Cap No. 116)
Listed to bat at number four, Renshaw had a strong campaign for the Brisbane Heat, scoring a maiden BBL century. He now becomes an all-format international for Australia, having previously played 14 Tests and three ODIs.
Jack Edwards (Cap No. 115)
The Sydney Sixers allrounder took 19 wickets in BBL|15, the second-most in the competition. He also previously scored a One-Day Cup century for New South Wales and captains the Sheffield Shield side.
Mahli Beardman (Cap No. 114)
The 20-year-old fast bowler gains his first senior international experience. Beardman previously starred in Australia's Under-19 World Cup campaign and consistently bowls over 140kph, taking 13 wickets in 11 games for the Perth Scorchers.
Series Details
This match is the first of three T20Is scheduled to be played in Lahore over four days, serving as preparation for the upcoming World Cup. Australia's most recent T20I in Lahore in 2022 also saw three players debut: Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, and Marnus Labuschagne.
Squads and Schedule
Australia XI for First T20I
- Travis Head (c)
- Matthew Short
- Cameron Green
- Matthew Renshaw
- Cooper Connolly
- Mitchell Owen
- Josh Philippe
- Jack Edwards
- Xavier Bartlett
- Adam Zampa
- Mahli Beardman
Pakistan XI for First T20I
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Salman Ali Agha (c)
- Fakhar Zaman
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Shaheen Afridi
- Salman Ali Mirza
- Abrar Ahmed
Australia T20 World Cup Squad (Provisional)
- Mitchell Marsh (c)
- Xavier Bartlett
- Cooper Connolly
- Pat Cummins
- Tim David
- Cameron Green
- Nathan Ellis
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Matthew Kuhnemann
- Glenn Maxwell
- Matthew Short
- Marcus Stoinis
- Adam Zampa
Qantas T20I Tour of Pakistan 2026 Schedule
- First T20I: January 29, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, 10pm AEDT (4pm PKT)
- Second T20I: January 31, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, 10pm AEDT (4pm PKT)
- Third T20I: February 1, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, 10pm AEDT (4pm PKT)
Australia Squad for Pakistan T20I Series
- Mitch Marsh (c)
- 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
- Matt Short
- Marcus Stoinis
- Adam Zampa