Australia are touring Pakistan for a three-match ODI series — and the action has already started in the best possible way. Pakistan drew first blood in dramatic fashion, and there is everything to play for with two matches still to go. Whether you are looking for the full schedule, player details, live score updates, or a deep breakdown of both squads, this is your one-stop guide to the Pak vs Aus 2026 ODI series.

What Is the Pak vs Aus 2026 Series?

The Pak vs Aus 2026 series is a three-match One Day International series between Pakistan and Australia, being played on Pakistani soil from May 30 to June 4, 2026. Australia are the reigning ODI World Champions, making this series a major test for Pakistan at home.

It is also Australia’s first ODI tour to Pakistan since 2022, which makes it a significant return to the country. With the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 — to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia — on the horizon, both teams are using this series as an early preparation block for the global tournament.

Pak vs Aus 2026 Full Schedule

Here is the complete match schedule for the Australia tour of Pakistan 2026:

1st ODI Result — Pakistan Win by 5 Wickets 🏆

Pakistan 202/5 (42.3 overs) beat Australia 200 (49.1 overs) by 5 wickets Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | May 30, 2026

Pakistan absolutely dominated the first ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Electing to field first, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Pakistan side was in control throughout the game.

Australia Innings: 200 All Out (49.1 overs)

Pakistan fielded four spinners and two pace bowlers, turning it into a spin-friendly contest on a dry Rawalpindi surface. Debutant Arafat Minhas was the star of the show with a sensational fifer — 5 wickets for just 32 runs from his 10 overs — becoming the first Pakistan bowler ever to take a five-wicket haul on his ODI debut. Matthew Short top-scored for Australia with a half-century, but the Aussie batting lineup crumbled against Pakistan’s disciplined attack, bundled out for a modest 200, with 35 balls still unused.

Shadab Khan, back in the ODI setup for the first time since the 2023 World Cup, was expensive and wicketless, but the rest of Pakistan’s bowling unit more than made up for that.

Pakistan Chase: 202/5 in 42.3 Overs

Pakistan’s reply was built around a brilliant 127-run partnership between Babar Azam (69 off 94 balls) and Ghazi Ghori (65 off 92 balls). Ghori, playing his debut ODI as a wicketkeeper-batter, announced himself in style. Arafat Minhas then finished the match in style with a six, ending on 18 not out, wrapping up a comprehensive 5-wicket victory with 45 balls to spare.

Player of the Match: Arafat Minhas (5/32 and 18)*

Pak vs Aus 2026 Players and Squads

Pakistan ODI Squad for Aus Series 2026

Pakistan announced a 16-man squad with Shaheen Shah Afridi continuing as captain. The squad saw the return of major players like Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Sufyan Moqim, who had missed the Bangladesh ODI series earlier in 2026.

Notable absences include Mohammad Rizwan, who was dropped from the ODI squad once again, and Saim Ayub, who is still recovering from injury.

Three uncapped players — Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, and Rohail Nazir — were given a chance to make their ODI debuts in this series.

Full Pakistan Squad:

• Captain: Shaheen Shah Afridi
• Vice-Captain: Salman Agha
• Batters: Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Shamyl Hussain, Abdul Samad
• Wicketkeeper-Batters: Ghazi Ghori, Rohail Nazir
• All-Rounders: Salman Agha, Maaz Sadaqat
• Bowlers: Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim

Australia ODI Squad for Pak Tour 2026

Australia’s squad selection for Pakistan was shaped by the ongoing IPL 2026 season. Several first-choice players — including Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cooper Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett — were unavailable because their IPL franchise teams were in the playoff race.

Mitchell Marsh was originally named as captain but was ruled out due to an ankle injury just days before the series started. Josh Inglis was then named as the stand-in captain for the tour.

Full Australia Squad:

• Captain: Josh Inglis (wk) (Mitchell Marsh ruled out)
• Batters: Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Alex Carey
• All-Rounders: Cameron Green, Oliver Peake, Liam Scott
• Spinners: Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, Tanveer Sangha
• Pace Bowlers: Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith
• Notable Absentees (IPL): Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

Note: Oliver Peake is a 19-year-old Australia U-19 captain who made his senior debut on this tour.

Key Player Battles to Watch: Pak vs Aus 2026

1. Babar Azam vs Adam Zampa

Babar is currently the biggest batting name in Pakistan’s lineup. Australia leg-spinner Zampa has historically been a tricky customer for Pakistan’s top order. Babar’s form — and how he reads Zampa — will be a defining battle in the last two ODIs.

2. Naseem Shah vs Josh Inglis

Naseem’s raw pace against Australia’s stand-in captain Inglis could be a fascinating duel. Inglis will need to anchor Australia’s innings, especially with several first-choice batters missing.

3. Shaheen Afridi vs Marnus Labuschagne

Shaheen’s ability to swing the ball early will be tested against Labuschagne, who is one of Australia’s most disciplined batters. Labuschagne’s technique against pace will be watched closely in the powerplay.

4. Arafat Minhas — The New Star

After his historic five-wicket debut in the first ODI, every Pakistan fan and cricket analyst will be watching Minhas closely. Can he repeat his heroics in Lahore? At 21, he is suddenly Pakistan’s most talked-about new cricketer.

Pakistan Going to Australia OCT or NOV

Pak vs Aus 2026: Full Match Schedule

Important: The ODI leg will be played in Pakistan, while the T20 leg moves to Australia. This is a shift from earlier tours where both formats were in one country.

Why Pak vs Aus Matches Are Special

The Pakistan vs Australia rivalry has always delivered thrilling cricket because:

• Both teams play aggressive cricket.
• Fast bowlers dominate matches.
• Young players often emerge as stars.
• Close finishes create excitement.
• Fans from both nations passionately support their teams.

Whether it is an ODI, T20I, or ICC tournament match, Pak vs Aus contests rarely disappoint.

Head-to-Head Record: Pakistan vs Australia in ODIs

Pakistan and Australia have a rich history in ODI cricket. Australia have generally had the upper hand in the format over the years, but Pakistan are strong performers at home — especially on turning pitches.

The 2022 ODI series on Pakistani soil saw Pakistan win 2-1, which remains fresh in the memory. Now, in 2026, Pakistan are determined to extend their home dominance.

Why This Series Matters — Beyond Just the Scoreline

1. ICC World Cup 2027 Preparation

Both teams are building squads for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. This series is a rare chance for both sides to experiment with lineups, test fringe players, and identify their best combinations well in advance.

2. Australia’s Injury and IPL Gaps

With so many frontline players missing due to the IPL, Australia’s visit is a real opportunity for Pakistan to build confidence. Winning this series would send a powerful message to the cricket world about Pakistan’s strength on home soil.

3. Pakistan’s Domestic Talent Emerging

The debuts of Arafat Minhas and Ghazi Ghori show that the Pakistan Cricket Board’s domestic pipeline — especially from the PSL — is now producing international-ready players. Minhas himself mentioned his PSL confidence in his post-match interview.

4. Rawalpindi and Lahore Pitches

The Rawalpindi pitch offered significant turn in the first ODI. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium pitches tend to be a little flatter and more batting-friendly, which could change the complexion of the next two games.

What Happened in the 2022 Pak vs Aus ODI Series?

For context, the last time Australia toured Pakistan for ODIs was in March-April 2022. Pakistan won that three-match series 2-1. Aaron Finch led Australia, while Babar Azam captained Pakistan. The series result was a confidence booster for Pakistan, and four years later, they are aiming to repeat the feat under Shaheen Afridi’s leadership.

Things to Expect in 2nd and 3rd ODIs (Lahore)

Here is what cricket fans should keep an eye on heading into the last two ODIs in Lahore:

• Will Shadab Khan find his rhythm? He was wicketless and expensive in the first ODI and will be under pressure.
• Will Australia reshuffle their lineup? With their backs against the wall, Josh Inglis will need to find answers.
• Can Babar Azam build on his form? His 69 in the first ODI was composed and mature — more of the same could seal the series.
• Will Arafat Minhas start again? Given his debut heroics, it would be a big call to drop him, but Lahore’s flatter pitch may tempt the think tank to rotate.
• Pitch conditions in Lahore: Expect more runs and bigger totals at Gaddafi Stadium compared to Rawalpindi.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — Pak vs Aus 2026

Q: When is the Pak vs Aus ODI series 2026? A: The series is from May 30 to June 4, 2026.

Q: Who is the captain of Pakistan in the Pak vs Aus 2026 series? A: Shaheen Shah Afridi is captaining Pakistan in this series.

Q: Who is the captain of Australia in Pakistan 2026? A: Josh Inglis is the captain, after Mitchell Marsh was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Q: What is the result of the 1st Pak vs Aus ODI 2026? A: Pakistan won by 5 wickets. Pakistan scored 202/5 in 42.3 overs, chasing Australia’s 200.

Q: Who took the most wickets in the 1st ODI? A: Arafat Minhas took 5 wickets for 32 runs on his ODI debut — a historic performance, making him the first Pakistan bowler to claim a fifer on his ODI debut.

Q: Where can I watch Pak vs Aus live score? A: You can follow the live score on ESPNcricinfo, CricBuzz, PTV Sports, A Sports, and Daraz Live.

Q: Is Mohammad Rizwan playing in Pak vs Aus 2026? A: No. Mohammad Rizwan was not selected in Pakistan’s squad for this series.

Q: What venues are being used for Pak vs Aus 2026? A: The 1st ODI was played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The 2nd and 3rd ODIs will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Conclusion

The Pak vs Aus 2026 ODI series has started in the most spectacular way imaginable. A debut five-wicket haul, a confident Babar Azam fifty, and a stunning new wicket keeper making his mark — Pakistan’s 5-wicket win in the 1st ODI in Rawalpindi has set the tone beautifully.

With two matches still remaining in Lahore, all eyes are now on whether Pakistan can seal the series or whether Australia can dig deep, regroup, and fight back with their second-string — but still dangerous — squad.

Stay tuned to pslcricket.com for live scores, match reports, player analysis, and everything you need to know about the Pak vs Aus ODI series 2026.