IPL 2026 effect? Australia pick under-strength squads for Pakistan and Bangladesh tours

Australia hand maiden call-up to Ollie Peake, who is considered as one of the brightest talents in Australian Cricket at the moment.

Australia have announced their squads for the upcoming ODI tour of Pakistan and the white-ball tour of Bangladesh, but several senior stars will miss out because of IPL 2026 commitments and workload management. One of the biggest talking points is the maiden international call-up for Australia Under-19 captain Ollie Peake, who has been included in the ODI squad for Pakistan.

The 18-year-old batter has emerged as one of Australia’s brightest young prospects and now finds himself fast-tracked into the senior setup. However, Peake will feature only in the Pakistan ODIs and will not travel to Bangladesh.

It’s a maiden international call-up for South Australia allrounder Liam Scott and Sydney Sixers spinner Joel Davies as well. Scott has been named in both ODI squads, while Davies gets the nod for the Pakistan ODIs and the Bangladesh T20Is.

Australia take big calls on big players

Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia in the absence of regular ODI skipper Pat Cummins, who, along with Josh Hazlewood, has been allowed to continue in the IPL before being rested for the Bangladesh leg of the tour. Mitchell Starc, who has already retired from T20Is, will also skip the ODI assignments.

Australia’s selectors have largely built the Pakistan squad around players whose IPL franchises are already out of playoff contention. Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Marsh are available because Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants are no longer strong contenders for the playoffs. While LSG got knocked out yesterday, KKR need a miracle to qualify.

There were some notable omissions too. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, despite being available, were not picked for the Bangladesh T20Is. Steven Smith also remains out of Australia’s T20 plans despite being called up as an injury replacement during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

IPL playoffs to impact Australia availability

Australia’s three-match ODI series against Pakistan overlaps directly with the IPL 2026 playoffs, which explains why players like Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett will stay back with their franchises for the knockout stages.

All four are expected to rejoin Australia for the Bangladesh ODI series beginning on June 9. Aaron Hardie, who enjoyed an impressive PSL 2026 campaign, returns for the Bangladesh T20Is but has not been selected for the ODI squads.

The scheduling shows Cricket Australia’s is adamant on managing player workload and allowing players to fulfil IPL commitments before a packed Test calendar ahead. Australia are set to play 17 Tests over the next 15 months, including a major away series in India later this year.

Australia squad for Pakistan ODIs

Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa

Australia squad for Bangladesh ODIs

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa

Australia squad for Bangladesh T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Adam Zampa

Australia’s packed subcontinent schedule