Marsh Admits Some Players Ill-Prepared Ahead of Pakistan T20I Series
Australian captain confident in team’s depth despite short turnaround from BBL Final missing stars to join squad in Sri Lanka for T20 World Cup
US, Jan 29 : Australian captain Mitchell Marsh has expressed confidence in his squad despite acknowledging that a few players weren’t fully ready for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan in Lahore, which begins Thursday.
Marsh, along with seven teammates who featured in the Big Bash League (BBL) Final on Sunday, arrived in Lahore just 24 hours before the series opener. He stressed, however, that the compressed schedule will not hinder the team’s performance, particularly as the series forms part of preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starting February 7.
“I think preparation can look different for every tour. Some of the team have been training in Dubai, while others played throughout the Big Bash. We’re ready and looking forward to a great series,” Marsh told the media.
The skipper also highlighted the absence of key players Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, and Glenn Maxwell who are recovering from fitness issues. All five are expected to join the squad in Sri Lanka for Australia’s first T20 World Cup match.
“This tour is important for our World Cup prep. Some guys weren’t ready to be here yet; they’re back home training and will meet us in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Marsh also lauded Pakistan’s strength in pace bowling, specifically naming Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam as players capable of making a major impact. “Winning away from home is challenging, especially in unfamiliar conditions. Pakistan has some amazing cricketers, and we’re looking forward to that test,” he said.
Australia will face Pakistan in Lahore before flying to Sri Lanka for their World Cup opener against the hosts on February 11.
