Major concern for Pakistan ahead of T20 World Cup! Star players’ absence hurt fans in Lahore and…
The growing trend of visiting teams from SENA countries fielding weakened squads in Pakistan has once again come under scrutiny, especially after Australia’s new-look side went down by 22 runs in the first T20I on Thursday.
Australia, touring Pakistan for the first time since 2022 in any format, arrived without several of their T20 World Cup-bound stars. Key players including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Nathan Ellis were rested for the three-match preparatory series, with Cricket Australia citing injury management and workload concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.
However, eyebrows were raised further when Australia left out some of the most experienced players available in the touring squad itself. Skipper Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis and frontline pacers Scott Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis were all missing from the playing XI in the opening game. Instead, the visitors handed debuts to three players, making the side look more like an experimental unit than a settled international team.
The approach hasn’t gone down well in Pakistan’s cricket circles. Analyst and writer Omair Alavi didn’t mince his words, calling it disrespectful to local fans.
“They come here already without some of their main players and then don’t even play their best available XI in the first match. I see it as an insult to Pakistan cricket fans,” Alavi said.
Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan echoed similar concerns, pointing out that this isn’t an isolated case.
“In recent times, we’ve seen New Zealand, South Africa and Australia all send weakened teams to Pakistan. It feels like they’re just fulfilling a formality by playing these series,” he said, adding that while teams may want to protect their stars for major tournaments, it ultimately hurts Pakistan cricket.
Former Test batter and chief selector Haroon Rasheed also questioned Australia’s logic, especially given the timing of the series.
“It’s perplexing to play a three-match series so close to the World Cup and not field your best players, particularly when the tournament will be held in similar conditions,” he said. Rasheed, however, stressed that Pakistan should focus on making the most of the opportunity and push for a series win regardless of the opposition’s selection choices.
A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suggested that the issue goes beyond any single tour. With a packed international calendar and the ever-growing influence of franchise leagues, teams are increasingly managing workloads by resting key players during bilateral series.
“What teams or players these countries send isn’t our concern. For us, the priority is that commitments are fulfilled and tours happen as scheduled,” the source said.
While Pakistan will be pleased with a strong start to the series, the broader debate continues. As international cricket juggles calendars, leagues and major tournaments, questions remain over how much value bilateral series hold, and whether fans are getting the full contest they deserve.