The Australian team is going to tour Pakistan just before the T20 World Cup 2026. Three T20 and three ODI matches will be played on this tour to be held during January-February. Meanwhile, news has come that Cricket Australia (CA) has sent a team to Lahore to investigate the security arrangements. The concern of the Cricket Australia Board is not surprising, especially when there was a blast in Islamabad just a few days ago.

The team sent by the Australian Cricket Board to Lahore includes a security advisor, a representative of the Australian Cricketers Association and some officials of the Australian High Commission. This team from Australia has met PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. In this meeting, discussions were held regarding security arrangements, logistics and risk management.

The reason for this decision of the Australian Cricket Board is the blast in Islamabad. A few weeks ago, there was a blast near the judicial complex in Islamabad, in which 12 people died and 25 were seriously injured. Many of these people were lawyers by profession. This blast had raised big questions on the security system in Pakistan.

The environment regarding security had started deteriorating so much that at that time the Sri Lankan team was in Pakistan. After the blast, many Sri Lankan cricketers talked about going back to their country. However, later the Sri Lankan team returned after completing the series.

Australia-Pakistan series will be played in January-February

The Australian team will go on Pakistan tour during January-February. In January, it has to play a series of 3 T20 matches with Pakistan. A series of three ODI matches will be played between the two teams in March. Till now PCB has not made any confirmation regarding the date and venue of the T20 matches, but it is expected that all three matches can be played in Lahore.

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Australia cricket team is currently playing the Ashes series against England at home. Australia has taken a 2-0 lead by winning both the initial tests. Meanwhile, Australian team all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has taken a big decision, he has retired from red-ball cricket at the state level. Now he will not be seen playing in the Sheffield Shield tournament, he used to play for Western Australia.

After Mitchell Marsh’s retirement from red-ball cricket at the state level, questions have been raised about his future in Test cricket. Especially considering the Ashes series, in which he was expected to play but it did not happen.

Mitchell Marsh’s recent performance was not anything special, after which he informed his colleagues about his decision of retirement. Since 2019, Marsh has played only 9 matches at the state level. Although the reason for playing less matches is also his busy schedule, he is the main limited overs player and also plays in many T20 leagues around the world.

Mitchell Marsh made his debut for Western Australia in 2009. He said that now he wants to stay away from red ball cricket. However, he has not retired from Test cricket at the international level.

Mitchell Marsh’s big decision

If reports are to be believed, Mitchell Marsh has said that he is ready to participate in the Ashes series if the selectors call him. However, he also admitted that it is not easy to play another Test in the future. Let us tell you that last month Australia’s Chief Selector George Bailey had said that Marsh’s game can bring new energy to the Ashes. He had said that he is not being tried in the beginning of the series but there may be a change later depending on the situation.

mitchell marsh test career

Mitchell Marsh has played 46 matches in his Test career, in which he scored 2083 runs in 80 innings. In this format he has played 9 half-centuries and 3 century innings. Apart from this, he has played 99 ODI and 81 T20 International matches for Australia, in which he has scored 3098 and 2083 runs respectively.

The second Test of the Ashes series 2025-26 between Australia and England is being played at The Gabba Stadium in Brisbane. This is a day-night test being played with pink ball, in which three days of play has ended and Australia has maintained a strong hold. By the end of the day’s play, England had scored 134 runs after losing 6 wickets. The team is still 43 runs behind Australia.

The third day started with Australia’s first innings, Alex Carey (46) and Michael Neser (15) took the innings to 378/6. Neser was able to add only 1 run and was out on the ball of Ben Stokes after scoring 16 runs. Carey completed his half-century, scoring 63 runs in 69 balls with the help of 6 fours.

Mitchell Starc created history

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc not only did wonders in bowling, he also performed brilliantly with the bat. Mitchell Starc faced 141 balls and scored 77 runs with the help of 13 fours. He became the second player in the history of the World Test Championship to complete 1000 runs along with 200 wickets. Before him, Pat Cummins had done this.

Starc was dismissed by Brayden Carse. After this, Will Jacques ended the Australian innings in the form of Brendan Doggett (13). Australia scored 511 runs in the first innings and took a lead of 177 runs.

For England today, Gus Atkinson, Ben Stokes, Braydon Carse and Will Jacques took 1 wicket each. 5 Australian batsmen (Jake Weatherald, Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc) scored half-centuries in the first innings.

England’s middle order flopped in the second innings too

In the second innings of England, Jack Crawley and Ben Duckett made a partnership of 48 runs for the first wicket, Duckett was bowled by Scott Boland after scoring 15 runs. After this there was a partnership of 42 runs between Crawley and Ollie Pope. Pope (26) was dismissed by Michael Neser. Joe Root (15), who scored a century in the first innings, flopped in the second innings and was made his victim by Mitchell Starc.

After this, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith also returned to the pavilion in a gap of 4 overs. Brook (15) was dismissed by Boland and Smith (4) was dismissed by Mitchell Starc. By the end of the third day’s play, England had scored 134 runs after losing 6 wickets, still England were 43 runs behind. There is 98 percent chance that Australia will win this match.

England vs Australia: Batting was looking very difficult so far in the first Test being played at Optus Stadium. But looking at the explosive batting of Travis Head in the second innings, it did not seem that Australia was reduced to 132 runs in the first innings. England’s first innings also ended here at 172 runs, today on the second day of the Test too, England was all out for 164 runs in the second innings. But Head created history here by scoring a half-century in 36 balls. He converted this innings into a century.

Travis Head has entered the top-5 in the list of batsmen who have scored the fastest half-century in the history of Ashes. Head completed his half-century in 36 balls with the help of 3 sixes and 3 fours. The first in the list is Jack Brown, who scored a half-century in 34 balls in 1895.

Fastest half century in Ashes

• 34 Ball- Jack Brown, Melbourne 1895
• 35 B – Graham Yallop, Manchester 1981
• 35 Ball- David Warner, Birmingham 2015
• 36 Ball- Kevin Pietersen, The Oval 2013
• 36 Ball- Travis Head, Perth 2025

Scored a century in 69 balls

After scoring a explosive half-century in the first Test of Ashes 2025-2026, Travis Head did not stop, he also completed his century in 69 balls. That means he added only 33 runs in the next 50 runs. Till scoring his century, he hit 4 sixes and 12 fours.

Head’s batting order changed in the second innings

England won the toss and decided to bat first, but succumbed to the lethal bowling of Mitchell Starc. The entire England team was reduced to 172 runs. Although Australia’s batting was also very bad, Ben Stokes took 5 wickets and bundled out Australia for 132 runs.

On the second day of the Test, England’s second innings ended at 164 runs, thus giving Australia a target of 205 runs to win. The way the pitch was behaving, it seemed that this target would be like a mountain for Australia but Travis Head’s stormy innings made it a minor target. The special thing is that Head, who came at number 5 in the first innings, opened in the second innings.

There is not much time left for the start of the Ashes. The first Test to be held in Perth from tomorrow i.e. 21st November is considered very important for both the teams. Before the match, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has announced his preferred playing eleven. A great mix of both experience and youthful energy is being seen in Ponting’s selected team.

Big stakes in opening pair

Ponting has predictably named Usman Khawaja for the opening. However, the player he chose along with him has surprised everyone. That player is Jake Weatherald. Weatherald has not played a single international match so far, but his performance in domestic cricket has been excellent. 5322 runs in 77 first-class matches and an average of around 38 are proof that he can play long innings for the team. This selection of Ponting shows that he is ready to show confidence in young players.

Strength of Labuschagne, Smith and Head in the middle order

Australia’s middle order has always been strong, and Ponting has made it even stronger.

At number 3 – marnus labuschagne

at number 4 – Steve Smith as Captain

at number 5 – Travis Head

These three players have the ability to change the course of the match on any pitch. Ponting said that in high-pressure matches like the Ashes, aggressive and steady batting is very important, which these players can perform well.

These players are included in all-rounder and finisher

At number 6, Ponting has expressed confidence in Cameron Green, who gives balance to the team with both bat and ball. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey has been selected at number 7. Whose batting along with his glove work also gives stability to the team.

Four greats in the bowling unit

Ponting has chosen his bowling attack in a very strategic manner.

Mitchell Starc – Master of fast pace and swing

Scott Boland – exact line-length

Brendan Doggett – Ponting hopes in new face

Nathan Lyon – Team’s main spinner

With three fast bowlers and an experienced spinner, this attack can prove dangerous on the bouncy pitch of Perth.

Ponting’s playing XI for Perth Test

Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendon Doggett, Scott Boland.

Brendan Doggett Story: Just before the start of the Ashes, the Australian team has got a pacer whose story seems no less than a film script. Brendan Doggett, 31, who once worked as a carpenter. Now he is very close to debut in the first Ashes Test against England. Doggett’s entry is considered almost certain after the team’s fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott are out due to injuries. If he plays in the first Test starting in Perth from November 21, it will be the biggest day of his cricket career.

‘Return’ after 7 years, this time the chance is confirmed!

Doggett getting a place in the Australian team is not a new thing. He was first selected for the Test series against Pakistan in 2018, but could not progress from the bench. Then in 2024, he was called again when Hazlewood got injured during the series against India. His five-wicket haul against India A caught the attention of the team management, but even then he did not get a debut.

Now for the third time when his name has appeared in the Test team, this time the circumstances are in his favor. If he makes his debut, he will become the 472nd player to play Test for Australia. Also, he will be the third indigenous cricketer after Jason Gillespie and Scott Boland. If Boland is in the playing eleven, then for the first time two indigenous players will be seen playing Test together.

259 wickets…and now a big leap!

Doggett has consistently performed brilliantly in domestic cricket. 259 wickets in 115 matches in itself tells that this pacer has the ability to strengthen Australia’s bowling line-up.

First Class Cricket: 50 matches, 190 wickets

List A: 17 matches, 26 wickets

T20: 48 matches, 43 wickets

In fast bowling, not only the speed but also the ability to consistently hit long line-lengths makes him special. Doggett’s story of his journey from working as a carpenter in Toowoomba to the door of Australia’s Test team is full of inspiration.

Hazlewood’s injury, ‘golden opportunity’ for Doggett

Josh Hazlewood’s injury may be a matter of concern for Australia, but it is a career-turning opportunity for Doggett. He believes that he may not be able to collect big figures like Cummins and Hazlewood, but he has the full potential to ‘make a mark’ on the spot.

Whether Doggett’s fast balls will be able to write a new story in the Ashes or not, it will become clear in the Perth Test on 21 November.

Under the captaincy of Mitchell Marsh, the Australian cricket team lost the T20 series against India at home. The 5th match of the series held on Saturday was cancelled, with this Suryakumar Yadav and team won the series 2-1. Whereas Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series by winning the second match after the first match was cancelled. After the match, Adam Gilchrist asked Mitchell Marsh such a question that even the captain was surprised.

In the absence of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh took command in the ODI series against India and defeated India 2-1 in the series. After this, under the captaincy of Marsh, Australia lost the 5-match T20 series 1-2. Although Marsh’s own performance was good, there was discussion about his captaincy because the T20 World Cup is to be held in February.

In such a situation, in the 5th T20, former Australian wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist directly asked Mitchell Marsh this question that if Pat Cummins becomes fit, will you be the captain in the World Cup or not? Marsh also gave a clear answer to this.

Who will be the captain in T20 World Cup 2026?

Mitchell Marsh was also surprised by Adam Gilchrist’s question related to the T20 World Cup. He asked, “If Pat Cummins becomes fit, will he captain the T20 World Cup or will you remain the captain?”

On this Mitchell Marsh said, “This is a good question, I think I will be the captain in the T20 World Cup. After this Gilchrist again asked, “So you are the official T20 captain? If Pat Cummins joins the T20 team, will he play under your captaincy? To this Marsh said, “Yes, I think so.”

On this Gilchrist said, “Thank you for the clarification, some questions were being asked about this.” Australia does not have any T20 International schedule before the T20 World Cup 2026, so the performance of the players in the Big Bash League can play an important role in the team selection. However, Marsh does not think so.

Marsh said, “Our team, with full potential, is a well-organized team. The Big Bash League is for the players and hopefully the Scorchers (Perth Scorchers) team will win.”

The last T20 of the 5-match series between India and Australia will be played at the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane. The previous record here is in favor of Australia. Australia has played a total of 8 matches here, out of which they have won 7 and lost only 1. The only T20 between India vs Australia was played here in 2018, in which Adam Zampa became the player of the match.

Australia has won 7 out of 8 matches at the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane, winning 5 of them while batting first and 2 while chasing the target. Here, 8 times out of 11, the team which batted first has won.

India vs Australia T20 record at Gabba

The only previous T20 match between India and Australia at Gabba was played on November 21, 2018. That match was also affected by rain, which Australia won under the Duckworth-Lewis rule. Batting first, Australia had scored 158 runs, Team India had a target of 174 runs in 17 overs to win but India could score only 169 runs.

Adam Zampa was elected player of the match in that match, he took 2 important wickets in the form of KL Rahul (13) and Virat Kohli (4).

Kuldeep Yadav took the most wickets in that match. It was surprising that the spinners were dominating on a pitch which usually favors fast bowlers.

Adam Zampa had bowled well in the last T20 also, while Kuldeep Yadav was dropped after the second T20. Washington Sundar was played in place of Kuldeep, it is difficult for Kuldeep to return in the fifth match. India would not like to tamper with the combination of the winning team.

India vs Australia Head to Head (in T20)

A total of 32 matches have been played between India and Australia in T20, in which India has the upper hand. India has won 20 matches and Australia has won 11 matches.

When and where to watch India vs Australia 5th T20 live

The 5th T20 between India and Australia will start on Saturday, November 8 at 1:45 pm (Indian time). The toss will take place at 1:15. The live telecast of the match will come on Star Sports channel. There will be live streaming on JioHotstar app and website.

The last match of the 5-match T20 series between India and Australia will be held tomorrow, Saturday at the Gabba Stadium. After tasting defeat to Australia in the fourth T20, Team India has taken a 2-1 lead in the series. Even if the 5th match is canceled due to rain, India will win the series. Know what the weather report says here? Who is likely to get help on the pitch and will there be any changes in India’s playing 11.

The performance of Tilak Verma has been the matter of most concern in this series so far, who was in good form earlier but could not make an impact in this series. The question of their batting order is also a big one, because Shivam Dubey is being tried at number three and captain Suryakumar Yadav at number four. Leaving aside the first match, Surya flopped in all three matches. He has scored a total of 84 runs in 4 innings.

India’s probable playing 11 in 5th T20

Tilak Verma will try to find his rhythm in the last match. Shivam Dubey may not have been able to make an impact with the bat but he is proving to be a game changer in bowling, in the last match too he had turned the tables by taking the important wickets of Marsh and Tim David. India would not want any change to happen with the winning combination.

Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Shivam Dubey, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma (wicket keeper), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah.

India vs Australia 5th T20 pitch report

There is a possibility of bounce on the pitch of Gaba Stadium. Here fast bowlers get good carry and if the weather is favourable, the ball can also move. On the other hand, batsmen who play well on the back foot can get help here, because the bounce on the wicket can also be helpful for them.

There will not be much turn or grip for the spinners here, although spinners can also get help here with line-length and pace on bouncy pitches. Talking about past records, the record of the team batting first is stronger. Out of the 11 T20s played here, the team batting first has won 8. Here the average score of the first innings is 159 runs and the average score of the second innings is 138 runs.

match prediction

Abhishek Sharma is doing his job very well in this series, he is giving a fast start. If he lasts for 8-10 overs on Saturday, the total score can easily cross 200. Suryakumar is expected to bat well in the middle order. Indian batsmen need to be careful with Nathan Ellis, he can prove to be dangerous.

Explosive batsmen like Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis are in the Australian team, if any of them performs then it will be difficult to defeat Australia. Although the match is more in favor of India, the probability of India winning is 55 percent and the probability of Australia winning is 45 percent.

how will the weather be

There is a possibility of rain in India vs Australia 5th T20. The probability of rain on Saturday night is increasing to 50 percent. However, rain is a matter of concern for Australia because if this match is canceled then India will win the series 2-1.

Where to watch India vs Australia 5th T20

The 5th T20 between India and Australia will be played at the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane. The match will start at 1:45 pm Indian time, the toss will take place at 1:15 pm. The match will be telecast live on Star Sports channel. Live streaming will be on JioHotstar app.

Tim David played an explosive innings in the third T20 against India and scored 74 runs in 38 balls. In this innings he hit 5 sixes and 8 fours. He completed his half-century in just 23 balls, with this he became the Australian batsman to score the second fastest half-century against India, surpassing Travis Head.

When Tim David came to bat, Australia was under pressure, the team had lost its two big wickets at the score of 14. Travis Head (6) and Josh Inglis (1) were sent to the pavilion by Arshdeep Singh in the powerplay. Although this had no effect on David’s batting, he showed that he was not going to stop by hitting a four on his first ball.

Tim David scored half century in 23 balls

Tim David completed his half-century in 23 balls in the third T20 against India. He has come second in the list of Australian batsmen who have scored the fastest half-century in T20 against India. The first number in this list is Cameron Green, who scored a half-century in 19 balls against India in Hyderabad (2022).

Travis Head slipped to third place in the list, having scored a half-century in 24 balls against India in 2024. Tim David, who came at number four, was caught out by Shivam Dubey in the 13th over, his catch was caught by Tilak Verma on the boundary. Apart from him, Marcus Stoinis also scored a half-century.

Australia gave India a target of 187

After Tim David, Marcus Stoinis played a brilliant half-century, he scored 64 runs in 39 balls with the help of 2 sixes and 8 fours. Batting first, Australia has set a target of 187 for India to win. Arshdeep Singh took the most wickets for India, he took 3 wickets for 35 runs in his spell of 4 overs. Varun Chakraborty took 2 wickets in 2 consecutive balls, giving 33 runs in 4 overs. Bumrah did not get any wicket today.