In a major development, Cricket Australia (CA) has appointed star opener Travis Head as the new captain of the Australia national cricket team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
However, Travis Head has not been handed the permanent captaincy, and will serve as the team captain in the opening match of the T20I series against the Pakistan national cricket team.
Mitchell Marsh rested, Travis Head gets Australia captaincy
The Australia national cricket team is currently in Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, which will offer them good preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Australia.
The first match of the series between the teams will be played on Thursday 29 January at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Hours before the match, the Australian team has announced its playing eleven for the game, and it includes a big surprise
Mitchell Marsh has not been made captain; Instead, Travis Head will lead the team. Marsh has been rested ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, as he ended his BBL stint just a few days ago.
In another major development, Mahali Beardman and Jack Edwards are set to make their international debut in the first T20I against Pakistan, while Matthew Renshaw will make his first T20I.
Australia’s playing XI for the 1st T20I vs Pakistan:
Travis Head (c), Matthew Short, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Mahali Beardman
Also read: Ajinkya Rahane openly mocks Pakistan, challenges Mohsin Naqvi to leave T20 World Cup
Many more to follow…
