Australia strongest XI for Pakistan T20Is: Green at 3, PBKS star to replace Tim David

Australia strongest XI Vs Pakistan [Source: AFP Photo]

With the T20 World Cup in a couple of weeks, Australia is set to tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, and on Monday, the visitors revealed their squad for the Pakistan series, with a couple of big names missing out. Players who delivered in the Big Bash League have been rewarded, while some of the dependant batters have missed out due to injuries.

Mitchell Marsh will lead the team as the Australian side has a plethora of all-rounders in their ranks, and the matches provide the Aussies a chance to test their bench strengths. With the squad announced, here is how the team could lineup for the upcoming T20I matches.

Top order: Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green

The top three of captain Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, and Cameron Green is one of the most destructive top orders for any side. In Travis Head and Marsh, the nation has a reliable pair that complements each other, and they will form a lefty-righty combination, which usually works in T20Is.

Why Cameron Green over Owen, Short?

• As an all-rounder, Green can not only be a destructive batter, but can also chip in with a ball and can be Australia’s fourth choice seamer in the playing XI. In his last two T20I series against the South Africans and the West Indian side, Green has struck at 189, and 164 respectively and will be a great addition at 3.
• The other two candidates to bat at number 3 are Mitch Owen and Matthew Short. While Owen has struggled for runs in the BBL, Short has just scored 280 runs with a strike rate of 132, and hence, the duo might just warm the bench.

Middle-order: Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis

Matt Renshaw has been a revelation in the ongoing BBL as the southpaw has racked up truckloads of runs and is the fourth-highest run-getter of the season.

(Renshaw in BBL 2025-26)

• In the BBL 2025-26 season, Renshaw has been outstanding as the batter has smashed 324 runs in 10 matches, but most importantly, he has struck them at 153.55.
• Renshaw is one of the few Australian players in that team who can counter spin, and Pakistan will throw plenty of spinners against the Kangaroos; hence, his presence in the middle-order is crucial.
• Marcus Stoinis, who has been a star for the Melbourne Stars will plat at number 5. With the bat, he has blown hot and cold, but he has been brilliant with the ball, picking up 14 wickets in 10 matches, at an economy of 7.48.
• Cooper Connolly, the batting all-rounder will play at 6, and alongside him, the finishing duties will done by keeper-batter, Josh Inglis. Tim David is injured, and in his place, the visitors will hope Connolly can fire.

Bowlers: Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshius, Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett

Adam Zampa is one of the best white-ball spinners in the world and is a guaranteed starter for the Aussies in the T20I series. Interestingly, the team should play a punt and include Jack Edwards in the playing XI as the pacer could be a trump card for the visitors.

(Edwards in BBL 2025-26)

• In just 10 matches, Edwards has scalped 15 wickets, at an economy of just 8.09. He is deceptive with his pace and could be the one who troubles the Pakistan batters.
• Ben Dwarshius, the left-arm seamer should be the second-choice seamer, alongside Xavier Bartlett as the Aussies are likely to go in with three quicks, and one main spinner in Zampa.

Australia's strongest XI Pakistan T20Is

Mitch Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshius, Jack Edwards