Australia not to telecast Pakistan T20Is in major shake-up before T20 World Cup 2026

Broadcasters not to televise PAK-AUS series [Source: X]With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, all teams have begun their preparations. In the next few days, Pakistan will face Australia in a three-match T20I series to keep pace with the rest of the teams. Pakistan are heading into the series on the back of some impressive wins, while Australia will enter the contest without their key players.However, with just a couple of days left for the marquee series to commence, controversies have already started, with no Australian broadcaster interested in showing the Pakistan vs Australia matches in their country.In Australian timings, the matches will start at 10 PM AEDT, and according to reports, no broadcaster is interested in showcasing the matches due to the lack of star-power.Salman. @TsMeSalman 🚨 PAKISTAN-AUSTRALIA T20I SERIES MIGHT BE MISSED IN AUSTRALIA 🚨 - There are no Australian broadcasters for the three-match series in Lahore yet. - With matches starting at 10 PM AEDT, networks say the star power is limited, making it a hard sell for TV. - Many big Aussie Jan 27, 2026, 9:50 AM Many big Aussie stars like Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Pat Cummins & Josh Hazlewood are resting ahead of the World Cup, and this has hampered the broadcasters back in Australia.Why big Australian stars are not playing vs PakistanAhead of the T20 World Cup, Australia has been hit with plenty of injuries, and the selectors are not taking chances with them. The likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missed the Ashes series due to injuries, and Tim David also suffered a hamstring that has ruled him out of the series.Maxwell, Hazlewood, Tim David, and Pat Cummins have all been included in the T20 World Cup squad, and the management is not taking any risk as the team wants them to be fit for the marquee event. With less star power in the Australian team, the broadcasters are hesitant to showcase the matches in Australia.The importance of the Pakistan-Australia seriesThe series allows both sides to fine-tune their combination ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pakistan had a successful T20I year in 2025, but they still have chinks in their armour as the team failed to win the biggest game of the year (Asia Cup final).Several Pakistan stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are back in the team, and the matches allow them to get in the groove before the World Cup. In the BBL 2025-26 season, Shaheen injured his knee and was ruled out of the tournament. Hence, the upcoming matches will allow the speedster to get his mojo back.As for Australia, the team lacks experienced players in the squad, and they will depend on the younger lot to deliver the goods. The Kangaroos lost their last T20I series at home against India, and in recent times, their away record is average. Hence, the three-game series will allow the side to test their bench strength and get their best possible combination for the World Cup.Australia and Pakistan squads for T20I seriesAustralia squad: Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stonis, Adam ZampaPakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmad, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.