Australia T20I squad for Pakistan tour announced; Steve Smith axed despite stunning BBL form

Australia T20 Squad For Pakistan Tour Announced Steve Smith Axed Despite Stunning BBL Form

Australia is set to tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series against Pakistan later this month. Australian selectors have stuck to the core that has been a part of the squad for the last couple of years, with some new additions.

Former Australian captain Steve Smith has been overlooked despite his heroics in the ongoing BBL season. This article provides details about Australia's squad for the upcoming series.

Australia T20 squad for Pakistan tour announced; Steve Smith axed despite stunning BBL form

The Big Story

Former Australian captain Steve Smith hasn't been picked in Australia's squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia.

Smith has had a wonderful start to his BBL campaign with a record-breaking century against the Thunder, a match that was highly talked about.

Smudge, as he is called by his teammates, scores 100 runs off just 42 balls, breaking several records on the way.

But the selection panel decided to pick players who have been a regular part of the T20I team since the last T20 World Cup, which took place in the USA and the West Indies.

Notebly Steve Smith has already announced his retirement from one white-ball format, i.e., ODI, and scored a century in the final Test of the recently concluded Ashes series, which Australia won by a margin of four matches to one.

The Core

The 17-member squad will be led by Mitchell Marsh and comprises familiar names that have been a part of the Australia T20I set-up in the last couple of years.

Along with the presence of regulars like Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw also finds a place in the team courtesy of a strong BBL stint for the Heat.

The Australian selectors have also backed Cooper Connoly, who is expected to bat at number six or seven and fulfill the role of a finisher, along with rolling his arm over for a few overs of spin.

Other than Connolly and Renshaw majority of the batters who have been together for a couple of years have been able to retain their spot.

As far as the bowling attack of the former T20 World Cup champions is concerned, it has a lot of options to choose from, especially in the fast bowling department.

Xavier Bartlett is expected to lead the attack along with Ben Dwarshius, with support from Mitchell Owen and Marcus Stonis, who has been in good form with the ball in the Big Bash League.

The spin bowling lineup of Australia will be handled by Adam Zampa, with Matthew Kuhnemann being the second spinner, and the likes of Travis Head and Matthew Renshaw chipping in with a few overs if needed.