Australia face early selection headache with Pat Cummins set to miss T20 World Cup 2026 opener

Australia suffer a huge blow as Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opener. They will play against Ireland on February 11 in Sri Lanka. Australia's chief selector George Bailey has informed the supporters regarding Cummins' missing out on the first game as he is still recovering from his back injury.

But there is a good news for Australia that Tim David has got the scan reports and it has appeared to be perfectly fine which means that the all-rounder is all clear to play in the T20 World Cup 2026. He is an incredible player both with the bat and ball and his inclusion in the team is a huge advantage for Australia. 

"He will probably join that World Cup group a little bit later in the tournament, around game three or four", said Bailey. “Clearly if something moves and we’re forced to cover that, we will.” Australia had announced their provisional squad and have time until January 31 to give the 15-member squad for the ICC event.

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Australia [provisional squad]: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Australia announce squad for 3-match series against Pakistan

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, Australia are set to face Pakistan in a 3-match T20I series from January 29 to February 1 in Lahore. Post that, they will travel to play their first game against Ireland in Sri Lanka. 

For the series, Cricket Australia have announced their squad where they have mentioned that Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Tim David have been rested for the series. The players have given time to recover from the injuries. Almost around ten players from the World Cup squad have been included in the Pakistan tour.

Australia T20I squad: Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stonis, Adam Zampa

Where to watch T20 World Cup 2026 matches?

Cricket fans in India can watch the T20 World Cup 2026 matches from February 7 online on JioHotstar, via OTTplay Premium.

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