The Australians will reach Lahore on January 28 for the short series.
'Was the five-day pause ever meant to hold, or was it simply another instrument of signaling, of positioning, of buying time in a war where even the pauses are tactical?' asks Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.
South Africa begins their T20 World Cup campaign against Canada, while Zimbabwe faces Oman in another match. Both South Africa and Zimbabwe aim to make a strong impact in the tournament.
The first three matches were low-scoring affairs, but the fourth T20I was a run-fest, with both India and Sri Lanka registering their highest-ever totals in the format.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
Pakistan grabbed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia after skipper Salman Agha led by example to secure their comprehensive 90-run victory in the second match in Lahore on Saturday.
Captain Lorcan Tucker's blistering 51-ball 94 was complemented by a disciplined bowling effort as Ireland powered to a massive 96-run win over Oman in a lop-sided Group B T20 World Cup match.
To defend their Asia Cup title, India must improve catching and find a steady middle order. Friday's dead rubber is a good chance to try these out.
3rd Women's T20I: India look to seal series with another dominant show against Sri Lanka
India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Wednesday climbed five places to seventh in the ICC men's T20I rankings
With Rashid and Ahmed currently unavailable, Liam Dawson is the squad's only specialist spinner, meaning Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell may be required to bowl more than initially planned.
Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a back injury, with left-armer Ben Dwarshuis named as his replacement.
India are looking to create history, as they aim to become the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup, while England will be aiming to reclaim the title they last won four years ago.
Zimbabwe assistant coach Dion Ebrahim said his side has ticked all the right boxes in preparation and is comfortable being labelled the underdogs ahead of their Super 8s clash against India, adding that the key would be to not get overwhelmed by the occasion.
A look at some of the major controversies in past World Cups.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board is adamant in their stance of not playing their T20 World Cup matches in India.
The sustained aggression of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav has made it difficult for New Zealand bowlers to "remain calm" in the ongoing five-match T20I series in India.
England's Jos Buttler expresses frustration with his T20 World Cup form but remains committed to aggressive batting. Despite achieving milestones, he seeks to convert starts into significant contributions.
Six different teams have lifted the trophy over the years, with the West Indies, England and reigning champions India the only nations to have won it twice.
Batters Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox have been axed while seamer Saqib Mahmood could not retain his place either.
The Bangladesh government has approved its shooters to travel to India for next month's Asian Rifle and Pistol Championships, days after refusing to send its national cricket team to the country.
Already out of Super Eights contention, Australia beat Oman by nine wickets in their inconsequential final group clash of the T20 World Cup, in Kandy, on Friday.
All New Zealand batters got starts but couldn't go on to capitalise on them. Will Jacks and Adil Rashid got two wickets a piece for England.
New Zealand pacer Adam Milne has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a torn left hamstring.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Monday said the players will follow whatever instructions are given to them by the government or the cricket Board with regards to boycotting the marquee T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo.
Sam Curran says England are aiming for a 'perfect game' against India in their T20 World Cup semifinal clash, highlighting the familiarity between the two teams and the importance of adaptability in diverse conditions.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been instructed by its sports ministry to seek shifting of the country's T20 World Cup league games from India to Sri Lanka as there are "concerns about players' safety".
England will be heading into the T20 World Cup with a massive confidence boost following a series win across both white-ball formats in Sri Lanka under captaincy of young Harry Brook, who has switched his side's fortunes since taking over.
Hope to lead West Indies in T20 World Cup; Sampson, Joseph included
Vice-captain Smriti Madhana, who ended her lean patch with a fluent 80 in the fourth T20I, retained her third position in the rankings, while Jemimah Rodrigues slipped one place to 10th.
T20 World Cup 2026 could turn into a batter's paradise, as small grounds, flat pitches and fearless hitting bring the once-unthinkable 300-run mark within reach, leaving captains bracing their bowlers for a tough ride
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), through its official PSL handle on 'X', announced that Mustafizur will be playing the next edition of the Pakistan Super League even though the players' auction for it is yet to be done.
Bangladesh Cricket Board maintain they were willing to play the T20 World Cup in India but were overruled by the government, forcing their exit from the tournament.
Temba Bavuma discusses the no-handshake policy in India-Pakistan cricket, South Africa's T20 World Cup chances, and Indian batters' struggles against spin.
Harmanpreet Kaur admits being concerned over India's over-rate during fourth T20I
Deepti Sharma lost the top spot in the bowling rankings, as her return of one for 28 in the fifth T20I was not enough to stop Australia's Annabel Sutherland's climb to the top.
'There has been an internal communication from ICC to BCB with regards to security in India. But what Asif Nazrul said is a complete lie.'
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the team is ready for the Pakistan T20I series despite a short, interrupted build-up, calling the tour vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Jonty Rhodes reflects on the challenge of keeping politics out of sport as the ICC confirms Scotland will replace Bangladesh at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.
England captain Harry Brook defended his team's ability to play spin bowling despite a loss to the West Indies in the T20 World Cup, where spinners took six wickets. He cites their recent series win against Sri Lanka as evidence of their capabilities.
