When Australia tours Pakistan for the first time since 1998, it will be a historic occasion and one of the most highly awaited series of the year. Following a good showing in the Ashes against England, where they won 4-0, Australia will host Sri Lanka for a five-match T20 International series beginning on February 11th. Following the end of the Sri Lanka series, Australia will board a trip to Pakistan
Despite increasing their protection when organizing foreign series, few countries have visited Pakistan. This series will send a message to other nations about visiting the country because it will be a full international series with three Tests, three ODIs, and a one-off T20I match. The Test squad for the next tour to Pakistan has yet to be confirmed, as chief selector George Bailey wants to ensure that the players have some playing time in the Shield.
Following the announcement of the Australian squad for the Sri Lanka series, Bailey, the chief selector, stated that the Australian squad for the Pakistan tour will be confirmed once the Pakistanis have resolved minor problems. He went on to say that any series in the present pandemic is a blessing because Shield cricket has yet to be confirmed due to the Western Australian border situation. Bailey believes the Sheffield Shield played a significant role in Australia's recent Ashes victory.
"I believe the boards are still working out some minor specifics about that tour, so once it receives the final permission, we'll announce the squad after that, but we're very well down the track".
"I'm not sure if we'll have a chance to see any Shield cricket, whether we need to or not." But I believe one thing we must accept and be flexible with is what we have now. One of the great things about the Ashes, and probably one of the reasons the players did so well, was that there were a lot of guys who had a good bank of Shield cricket under their shoulders before to the series." Bailey stated.
"Whether it's for Pakistan or not, you'd certainly hope there's a possibility for some Shield cricket at some point just because of the fight and to see guys progressing and getting the chance to display their goods," he continued.
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