Australia have named a 17-member squad for their upcoming T20 tour of Pakistan, with Steve Smith missing out despite his red-hot form in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. Chief selector George Bailey said that Smith remains in the frame but missed selection due to strong competition at the top of the order.
Australia will prepare for the T20 World Cup in the subcontinent with a three-match T20 series against Pakistan in Lahore. The matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, starting on January 29. Notably, the tour will be Australia’s first visit to Pakistan in four years and their final series before the World Cup.
Steve Smith in Red-Hot Form Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Steve Smith has been in top form in the Big Bash League. He smashed a 42-ball century at the Sydney Cricket Ground and then scored 54 off 40 balls against Brisbane Heat to help the Sydney Sixers reach the Qualifier final. He has scored 173 runs in three innings this season at a strike rate above 175.
Smith has not played a T20I since early 2024. Australia have named a provisional World Cup squad that can be changed until January 31, but selectors are expected to make changes only in case of injuries. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head remain the first-choice openers.
All four of Smith’s BBL centuries have come as an opener. He missed the last T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Since his last T20I, he has averaged 51.18 in T20 cricket, including the Hundred, with a strike rate of 156. In his last five BBL innings, he has scored two hundreds and two fifties.
It’s A Great Problem To Have – George Bailey On Steve Smith’s Exclusion
George Bailey said that Steve Smith remains a strong option if a spot opens up at the top of the batting order. He described the situation as a positive challenge, adding that Smith is in excellent form but faces heavy competition from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh.
“It’s a great problem to have,” he said. “He’s playing incredibly well, as he has done in the BBL for the past couple of years, in a position that we’ve got really good coverage in.
“I’d hate to put a line through Steve that he couldn’t bat anywhere else because he’s proven his ability to be able to do that on a number of occasions.
Mitchell Marsh And Travis Head Are Also Playing Incredibly Well – George Bailey
Bailey explained that Steve Smith has received chances as an opener in T20Is. He noted that Smith has extensive experience in international T20 cricket. Bailey added that Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head have performed consistently at the top of the order for Australia.
“When he’s had (T20) international opportunities of late it has been at the top, certainly in his most recent (games against New Zealand in February 2024 and India in November 2023),” Bailey stated.
“He’s played a lot of international T20 cricket. Clearly when he goes back to the Big Bash, he is a level above. He’s playing incredibly well, but Mitch Marsh and Travis Head are also playing incredibly well, and they’ve done really well at the top for us in the T20 format.”
Also read: George Bailey confirms Pat Cummins RULED OUT of T20 World Cup 2026 matches
