Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood set to skip Pakistan tour as Australia confirm three ODIs from May 30

Australia's three-match ODI series in Pakistan opens on May 30, but Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are almost certain to skip it as the IPL 2026 final lands inside the tour window.

May 8, 2026

pakistan australia odi may30 cummins starc hazlewood skip

Australia have locked in a three-match ODI series in Pakistan from May 30 to June 4, but the timing has effectively written Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood out of the squad before a ball is bowled. The IPL 2026 final lands on May 31, slotted between Australia's first and second ODIs, and Cricket Australia is not expected to pull its frontline quicks out of franchises mid-playoff.

The PCB confirmed the schedule on Thursday. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium hosts the opening match on May 30, with Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore staging the next two on June 2 and June 4. All three start at 4.30pm local, with the toss at 4pm. The touring party is set to arrive in Islamabad on May 23.

A series wedged inside the IPL playoff window

The IPL 2026 league stage finishes on May 24. The playoffs begin on May 26 and the final is in Ahmedabad on May 31. The PCB’s first ODI sits a day before the IPL final, the second falls 48 hours after the IPL trophy is lifted, and the third comes on June 4. For any Australian whose franchise reaches Qualifier 1 or beyond, the Pakistan series is functionally a three-game window with at most the back end available.

Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood unlikely to feature

The big three quicks all have IPL deals and a Test summer to protect. Cricket Australia is not expected to risk Cummins, Starc or Hazlewood for either Pakistan or the white-ball leg in Bangladesh that follows, with the trio's workloads being managed for a stretch of roughly 20 Tests across the next 12 months that begins at home against Bangladesh in August. Travis Head is also reported to be staying back for that Test prep.

Marsh and Inglis lead the available group

ODI vice-captain Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are the most likely senior names to make Rawalpindi. Both are at Lucknow Super Giants, who only just snapped a six-match losing streak and remain the most exposed side in the playoff race. Marsh's 49-ball hundred against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Ekana on Thursday ended that run, but LSG's qualification chances are slim enough that both should be in Pakistan with time to spare.

Alex Carey, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne, who turned out in the Pakistan Super League earlier in the year, are expected to feature in the 50-over squad. Cameron Green is another name in the conversation depending on franchise progression.

Australia's first ODI tour of Pakistan since 2022

This is Australia's first 50-over assignment in Pakistan since the 2022 series, and the PCB has scheduled the games knowing full well the IPL clash. Pakistan's plan is to use the matches as part of its build-up cycle for the next ICC ODI window. A heavily second-string Australian squad will at least mean Pakistan's selectors get a hard look at depth options against a touring side rather than a full-strength one.