Big stars including batsman David Warner and Test skipper Pat Cummins were left out of Australia 16-player white ball squad announced on Tuesday for matches in Pakistan.
Australia will travel to Pakistan with a complete Test squad for the first time in 24 years, but several of their top players will be rested for the three one-day internationals and one Twenty20 games that follow.
Test skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchel Starc will be absent from Australia’s pace attack.
Glenn Maxwell is also missing from playing eleven, as the batsman is getting married in the coming weeks.
Read more: Pakistan and Australia announce squads for upcoming test series
The Test squad is set to depart for Pakistan this weekend, with the first of three Tests set to begin in Rawalpindi on March 4.
The workload of some players who play all forms — Tests, Twenty20s, and One-Day Internationals — has to be handled due to a busy schedule, according to Cricket Australia.
“We’ve chosen a competent and flexible squad to face a variety of challenges,” stated George Bailey, head selector.
“Building experience and depth in preparation for two short-form World Cups within the next 18 months,” he added.
Limited-overs players who did not participate in the Tests will join up in the middle of the trip, with the first one-day match taking place on March 29 in Rawalpindi.
“We’re optimistic in the squad’s ability to perform well on this tour while also progressing toward those critical tournaments.”
Following a devastating terror attack on the Sri Lankan Test team in 2009, Pakistan a cricket-lover has struggled to bring international teams back. The trip to Pakistan is Australia’s first since 1998.
Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
