In preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, Australia is scheduled to play three T20 International matches in Lahore, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday. The matches will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium on January 29, 31, and February 1, kicking off the Australians’ activities in the lead-up to the global tournament.
While Australia will compete in all their T20 World Cup matches in India, Pakistan will play theirs in Sri Lanka. This marks Australia’s first visit to Pakistan for a T20I series since April 2022, when they last toured for a Test series followed by a one-day series.
The Australian team is expected to arrive in Lahore on January 28, having previously played some matches in Pakistan during last year’s Champions Trophy.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani selectors are set to convene with head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha later this week to finalize the squad for both the upcoming series against Australia and the T20 World Cup 2026. An official announcement regarding the squad is anticipated next week, pending approval from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
Coming off a drawn T20I series in Sri Lanka, the Pakistani team will be looking to make a strong impression, while Australia recently celebrated a remarkable 4-1 Ashes Test series victory against England.
In the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan finds itself in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA, while Australia is placed in Group B with Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. Pakistan’s opening match against the Netherlands is set for February 7 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka, with the highly anticipated clash against India scheduled for February 15 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Australia will kick off their campaign on February 11 against Ireland at the same venue.
Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 includes Tim David, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Short, Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Ellis, Pat Cummins, and Xavier Bartlett.