WATCH: Steve Smith arrives in Pakistan amid armed group threat to foreign cricketers ahead of PSL 2026
Steve Smith lands in Lahore under heavy security amid threats to foreign players ahead of PSL 2026.
Steve Smith lands in Lahore under heavy security amid threats to foreign players ahead of PSL 2026.
Armed anti-Pakistan groups have issued a warning to foreign players ahead of PSL 2026, claiming they could face security risks if they travel to the country.
Smith replaces pacer Josh Hazlewood, with Australia having initially held off on naming a substitute after Hazlewood was sidelined earlier this month with a calf injury.
Maxwell struggled for form in the BBL, managing just 76 runs at an average of 15.20 and picking up only two wickets for the Melbourne Stars, while also enduring a tough time in the field.
Bailey revealed that Cummins, who was rested for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, will not feature in Australia’s first World Cup game.
Australia's senior batter and red-ball expert Steve Smith has not given up on making it back to the T20 side and is hoping to use upcoming international tournaments to play in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 where the sport is expected to return to the Games.
More than batting position, Smith relishes prospect of playing India in five-Test series
Besides Smith, the other notable omissions from the T20 World Cup squad are youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk, experienced seamer Jason Behrendorff and all-rounder Matt Short.
Rubbing salt to the injury, the 34-year-old Smith could only manage 51 runs from four knocks during the recently-completed 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.
Out of the 41 batters to have done so to date, his current average of 49.67 is bettered only by India's stalwart batter Virat Kohli (53.44).
