IPL Over National Duty? Travis Head, Aussie Pace Trio Likely to Miss Pakistan ODIs

The Australian national cricket team may have to travel to Pakistan with an incomplete team, as most senior players might not make it for the ODI series due to the ongoing IPL 2026 playoffs.

As per reports, players such as Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, and Cooper Connolly are less likely to feature in the three-match ODI series, which is slated to begin on May 30, in Rawalpindi.

The tour to Pakistan is to be followed by a series of white-ball games in Bangladesh, which is also slated to host three ODIs and as many T20Is against the Australian squad.

The ODI series against Pakistan will be played on May 30, June 2 and June 4 respectively, with the last two ODIs to be held in Lahore.

IPL Playoff Conflict Creates Issues

The league stage of the IPL 2026 will culminate on May 24, while the playoff games are set to take place between May 26 to May 31. Australia's ODI squad is expected to depart for Pakistan on May 23. Hence players who will feature in the playoffs are not likely to turn up for the Pakistan series.Australia may miss several IPL-bound stars for the Pakistan ODI series as the IPL 2026 playoffs clash with the tour schedule.

Currently, Cummins, Head, Cooper Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett are representing Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings which are top two teams in the IPL 2026 points table. Hazlewood's Royal Challengers Bengaluru are also firm contenders to feature in the playoffs, and therefore his chances to make it for the Pakistan tour are slim.

Even though Starc's Delhi Capitals are seventh on the table, but selectors will be taking into consideration the load of Australian pace bowlers keeping in mind the packed international season.

Australia Considering Workload Management

Workload management appears to be high on the agenda of Cricket Australia to keep the pace bowlers firing over a packed Test calendar. Australia are looking to play a total of 21 Test matches over the course of the next 12 months starting in August when Bangladesh arrive for a series of Tests Down Under.

In addition to the fast bowlers, the all-rounders Travis Head and Cameron Green may also be rested due to workload and injury issues.

A number of players are in contention to be included for the Pakistan series should the leading players not be able to take part, and these include Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey and Nathan Ellis, who is bowling again after injury problems.

Young players such as Tanveer Sangha and Ollie Peake along with Joel Davies and Nikhil Chaudhary have been training with the Australian coaches leading up to the tour.

Therefore, Australia may play a second string XI in the Pakistan ODI series if their IPL players go all the way through the competition.