Experienced Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was expected to lead the way; However, Travis Head has been replaced as captain in the series against Pakistan ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Marsh is set to be rested after the tough BBL schedule.
The mighty Australian team, one of the strongest competitors in ICC tournaments, had named Mitchell Marsh as their captain for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He has been their designated captain in the shortest format, and under his leadership, the Australian team has moved up in the ICC rankings and is second behind India in T20Is.
Mitchell Marsh was seen playing with the Perth Scorchers throughout the Big Bash League. He scored runs but was not at his best consistently; However, he led his team to the top of the table as well as a sixth title under Ashton Turner.
Travis Head has been appointed Australian captain in place of Mitchell Marsh before the T20 World Cup.
After a BBL season which took its toll on his body, Australian veteran all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who has been out at crucial junctures due to injuries, has been rested from the first T20I against Pakistan in the upcoming three-match series.
Mitchell Marsh was often seen off the field apart from his batting innings as he does not bowl forward and would also act as a specialist opening batsman in the World Cup. Instead, the Australian management has appointed vice-captain Travis Head as the stand-in captain for the first T20I.
Australia has kept several options in Mitchell Owen, Cameron Green and Matt Short as openers for the series and these players will also be a part of the upcoming ICC tournament in India.
Mitch Marsh will be rested for the opening match of the Twenty20 series in Pakistan, clearing the way for Travis Head to captain Australia for the second time.https://t.co/pQxOaXd4kv pic.twitter.com/FBgReMeSn9
– Daniel Cherney (@DanielCherney) 28 January 2026
Many Australian stalwarts will remain out of Pakistan tour
Famous Australian cricketers include Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood and Glenn Maxwell. Among them, Cummins, David and Hazlewood are still recovering from their injuries.
However, Australian cricketers associated with their teams in the BBL, including Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis and Melbourne Stars all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, will be included in the T20 World Cup squad at a later date.
All matches for the Pakistan tour are to be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Games are scheduled for January 29, January 31 and February 1. Travis Head will lead them for the second time in his career.
Australian selectors back youngsters to gain experience in Pakistan T20I series
The Australian selectors have included several young names in the squad for the Pakistan series who are not even part of their preliminary World Cup squad. This includes young fast bowlers Mahali Beardman and Jack Edwards, who were both finalists in BBL 15.
Josh Philippe and Matthew Renshaw have also been selected for the Pakistan series and could also be included in the middle order. Travis Head will get a new opening pair in Matt Short or Mitchell Owen. Cameron Green will finally return to some white-ball action after the South Africa home series.
Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey said, “This series is a great opportunity for those who are on the brink of selection and gives some of the young players we rate highly to valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan.”
Also read: The Hundred 2026 schedule thrown into disarray as England’s Test plans hit