Australia to name a full strength Test squad for historic Pakistan tour

It will be one of the historic moments when Australia will tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998 and it has been one of the most awaited series of the year. After a strong performance in the Ashes against England with a 4-0 victory, the Australian side is set to host Sri Lanka for a five-match T20 International series starting from the 11th of February. Straight after the Sri Lanka series, Australia will get on the flight to the subcontinent nation.

Not many countries have been touring Pakistan despite them packing their security while hosting international series. This series will provide a message for the other nations as well in terms of visiting the country as it will be a complete bilateral series comprising of 3 Tests, 3 ODIs, and a one-off T20I match. The Test squad to tour Pakistan is yet to be announced as chief selector George Bailey is eyeing to make sure that the players have some game time in the form of the Sheffield Shield tournament.

Sheffield Shield in Jeopardy after Western Australia border situation

Bailey, the chief selector after announcing the squad for the Sri Lanka series had noted the Australian squad to tour Pakistan will be announced once the hosts clear up the minor concerns around. He added that any series in the current pandemic situation is very much a gift as Shield cricket is yet to be confirmed due to the Western Australia border situation. Bailey reckoned that the Sheffield Shield had a huge part to play in the recent Ashes performance for Australia.

“I believe the boards are still working through some of the minor details around that tour, so once that gets the formal tick of approval then we’ll announce the squad post that, but we’re reasonably well down the track.”

“Whether we need to (see any Shield cricket) or not, I’m not entirely sure what opportunity we will get. But the one thing that I think we have to be really just okay with is that we’ve got to accept what we get at the moment and be flexible. I think one of the great things and possibly one of the reasons the players performed so well in the Ashes was there were a number of players who got a good bank of Shield cricket in prior to that series.” Bailey was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au

“Whether it’s for Pakistan or not, you’d certainly hope that there is an opportunity for some Shield cricket at some stage just because of the competition and to continue to see guys improving and getting the opportunity to show their wares,” he added

Australia’s T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa