Will Pat Cummins play in T20 World Cup 2026?

In a minor setback for the Australian cricket team, chief selector George Bailey confirmed that fast bowler Pat Cummins will miss the team’s first two T20 World Cup 2026 matches against Ireland and Zimbabwe next month.

Pat Cummins, who has been rested for Australia’s three-match T20 series against Pakistan later this month, will join the team after their second Group B match against Zimbabwe on February 13.

He is currently nursing a back stress issue that restricted him to just one Test during Australia's recent 4-1 Ashes triumph against England.

"Like nearly every tournament that we head to, particularly when it's a really busy time of the year, it's very much working with the individuals around making sure they get the best preparation they can to make sure when they do join that World Cup squad, they're ready to perform," George Bailey told cricket.com.au.

If his recovery goes according to plan, Pat Cummins will be available for Australia’s final Group B match against co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 17.

Despite injury concerns, both Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood were earlier named in Australia’s 15-member provisional squad for the T20 World Cup.

The final squad submission is due on January 31 with Geroge Bailey monitoring the duo's recovery.

"Part of that will certainly be how (Hazlewood and Cummins) are tracking and looking for the tournament, and if they're both going well, then it'll be just about covering any potential gaps that we may see throughout the tournament," Bailey said.

Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test and ODI skipper, was the vice-captain of the team when they lifted the T20 World Cup in 2021. He also won the 2023 ODI World Cup as captain.

After making his T20 debut in 2011, Pat Cummins has played 57 matches, taking 66 wickets at an average of 23.57 and an economy of 7.44 in the format. He is fourth among Australian bowlers for most wickets in the format.

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