Beardman, Edwards earn Australia call-ups for Pakistan T20Is

Beardman, Edwards earn Australia call-ups for Pakistan T20Is

Uncapped Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards have been named in Australia's 17-man squad for the three-match T20I tour of Pakistan. Only 10 members of the T20 World Cup squad will feature in the series.

Nathan Ellis, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins will instead join the squad in Sri Lanka as they return from injury and manage workloads ahead of the World Cup.

Edwards has taken 15 wickets for Sydney Sixers in the ongoing Big Bash League season, while 20-year-old Beardman has impressed with eight scalps for Perth Scorchers.

Sean Abbott, Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw are the other players who have come into the squad, which will again be led by Mitchell Marsh.

Australia will play Pakistan in three T20Is at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on January 29, 31 and February 1. Players involved in the BBL finals will join the squad once their domestic commitments are complete. Australia's opening World Cup match is against Ireland on February 11.

"The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan," said Chair of Selectors George Bailey.

"Some are already experienced international players along with Mahli Beardman, who has been with the group a number of times, and Jack Edwards, who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year."

Australia T20I squad vs Pakistan: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa