PAK vs AUS | Smith to skip white ball series, Swepson called in

Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith is set to miss the three-match ODI series and only T20I vs Pakistan, scheduled to begin on March 29 in Lahore. Smith, who became the fastest player to score 8000 Test runs during the Test series, will sit out to manage the discomfort caused by a minor elbow injury last year.

However, Australia have added Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson to the squad for the upcoming white-ball leg of Australia’s tour of Pakistan. Swepson was part of the Australian team, which toured the West Indies and Bangladesh, and was also part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad.

Moreover, Smith will fly home from Pakistan following the 1-0 Test series win. While Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and David Warner have also been rested for the white-ball rubber. And, power-hitting batter Glenn Maxwell is also a notable absentee from Australia's squad after getting married last week.

"It's disappointing to miss these matches against Pakistan but after chatting with the medical staff I can see the need to take a break at this time," as quoted by Steven Smith.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey briefly explained why selectors had not gone for a like-for-like swap, suggesting there are already several options in the squad. Adding further, he said there was no need to risk Smith in the next four matches.

"We are excited because with a T20 World Cup later this year and a 50-over Cricket World Cup in Asia next year, these four matches against a quality Pakistan team are a great chance for players to stake their claims for places in those tournaments”, reckoned George Bailey.

Nevertheless, the 32-year-old took the advice of the medical staff that it's best to take time to heal from it. As a result, Smith was not picked in the IPL auction and hence, will get a chance to rest for over two months as Australia's next assignment is a three-format tour of Sri Lanka starting on June 7.

Australia ODI and T20 squad:

Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa

Pakistan ODI and T20 squad:

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)