Gaddafi stadium

T20 World Cup: Mahli Beardman, Jack Edwards and Matthew Renshaw will make their T20I debut for Australia when they take on Pakistan in the series opener at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The series is regarded as key preparation for Australia ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup to be staged in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. Australia will be led by Travis Head, as regular skipper Mitchell Marsh has been rested following Perth Scorchers’ victory in the Big Bash League (BBL) final on Sunday.

None of the three debutants are part of Australia’s squad for the Men’s T20 World Cup, but injuries to Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis, along with Glenn Maxwell being managed, have opened the door for them to have some game time.