‌AUS vs PAK | Maxwell returns as Australia rest red-ball stars for Pakistan T20Is with captain still unnamed

The squad for the three-match T20I series has been announced without a captain being named. As per the Chairman of selectors, George Bayley, the regulating body would be taking a call on the leadership close to the inception of the series. Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, and Matt Short, among others, stand as strong contenders to captain the side in the particular format against Pakistan. 

Major Test-playing cricketers such as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith have been rested to focus on the red-ball format. Meanwhile, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh have opted for paternity leave, leaving a void in the leadership role. As the Border Gavaskar Trophy begins four days after the T20I series against Pakistan ends, it would be difficult for the red-ball cricketers to switch formats within a short span.

"The Test squad will be arriving in Perth and sort of finalising their Test prep around the time of that second T20. We've been really clear that we are prioritising the preparation for individuals around the Test summer and that'll be the first time that we get that group together. So rather than switching guys in and out and it becoming quite messy, it was just deemed more appropriate for a number of reasons to separate them out."

In a piece of positive news, three pacers - Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Xavier Bartlett have made a comeback to the side after recovering from injuries. All of them were supposed to be a part of the Scotland tour but were plagued with various injuries. Also, Glenn Maxwell is back on the side, having played his last T20I against India in the Super Eight Stage of the T20 World Cup.

The T20I series follow the three-match ODI series against Pakistan that begins on November 4.

Australia T20I squad vs Pakistan: Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa