![Pakistan to conduct new tournament before AUS series [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1778317708830_PakistannewtournamentbeforeAustraliaseries.jpg?type=hq)
Pakistan to conduct new tournament before AUS series [Source: AFP]
Pakistan are set to take on Australia in a three-match ODI series at home. The first match of the series will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the remaining two matches will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Currently, the Pakistan cricket team is engaged in a Test series against Bangladesh. After the conclusion of the two-match series, the Men in Green will host Australia for three ODI fixtures.
As they gear up for the highly anticipated series, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB is planning to conduct another unique tournament to help the Pakistan players prepare for the Australia series.
Australia to visit Pakistan for three ODIs
Australia will kick-start their preparations for the 2027 World Cup with a high-voltage ODI series against Pakistan. The Aussies will tour the Asian nation for three ODI matches across two different venues- Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The first match of the series will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30. The penultimate affair is scheduled for June 2 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, which will also host the final match of the series.
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The Aussies are likely to include several fresh faces, with their first-choice players set to feature in the IPL 2026. Meanwhile, the PCB has reportedly planned to host an intra-squad tournament to finalise the Pakistan squad vs Australia.
PCB to conduct intra-squad tournament to finalise Pakistan squad vs Australia
According to Geo Super, Mohsin Naqvi's PCB will conduct an intra-squad tournament comprising three to four matches to finalise the Pakistan squad for the Australia series.
Prolific white-ball performers from across the country will participate in the competition. The report states that Pakistan team's head coach, Mike Hesson, will closely monitor the performances of these cricketers to shortlist players who will be picked for the home series.
The report further claims that the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB considers picking a relatively young squad for the Australia ODIs.
So, the focus will be on several youngsters who recently grabbed the limelight through impactful returns in the PSL 2026.
A second chance for Saim Ayub and Babar Azam?
After the Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan team crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2026, the PCB made some tough selection calls, sidelining Babar Azam and Saim Ayub from the ODI team.
However, as the Mohsin Naqvi-led board plans to conduct an intra-squad tournament, the decorated duo might be given another opportunity to showcase their mettle and make a comeback to the ODI setup.
Babar Azam had a blockbuster PSL season, amassing 588 runs, including two scintillating hundreds. He led Peshawar Zalmi to the title, sparking speculations of a potential return to the helm as the white-ball skipper.
On the contrary, Saim Ayub blew hot and cold in the PSL this season, managing 258 runs at a modest average of 21.50.
However, with his competitors- Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain- registering failures in the Bangladesh ODIs, Saim might earn his opening spot, provided he impresses Mike Hesson in the intra-squad matches.
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