"There are decisions to be made... that’s above my pay grade, thankfully" - Josh Inglis on Australia naming a second-string squad for Pakistan T20Is 

Australia stand-in T20I skipper Josh Inglis was recently asked about a second-string squad being deployed for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan. This comes as the first-team players are busy preparing for the Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25.

Inglis was assigned captaincy as Mitchell Marsh is in the plans for the Test series against India. The wicketkeeper-batter got a taste of leadership at the international level when he captained the Men in Yellow during the series-deciding third ODI against Pakistan in Perth on November 10.

Australia copped a lot of blame for resting their players for the third ODI when the series was still on the line. Pakistan coasted to victory after bowling out the hosts for 140. They secured a win by eight wickets to clinch the series by a 2-1 margin.

Despite the presence of experienced players like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa, the Australian team is being labeled 'B side.' However, ahead of his first series as captain, Inglis maintained that the label of 'B side' was not a fair one.

“I don’t think it’s very fair to say that, but we know how challenging the schedule is. There’s always series overlapping where players are used (in different) formats. There are decisions to be made. That’s above my pay grade, thankfully," Inglis said ahead of the first T20I in Brisbane (via Yahoo Sports).

Australia's T20I series against Pakistan is scheduled from November 14 to 18 while the Border-Gavaskar series will begin from November 22 onwards in Perth.

"There were big losses, and typically not something that we’re very used to" - Josh Inglis on ODI series loss to Pakistan

Australia kick-started their home season with a nervy win in the first ODI against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). However, things went downhill from there as they were skittled out for paltry totals, resulting in a rare series defeat on home soil. The team were lambasted by fans and pundits alike for their attitude towards the series.

“There were big losses, and typically not something that we’re very used to. You’ve got to be honest, that batting group didn’t score enough runs and that’s on us to rectify that this week," Inglis said in the same interview.

“Everyone’s got their methods and how they go about it. It’s just about bringing them up this week, and let’s forget about what’s happened before. Just attack it head on and keep backing yourself … (but) we’ve seen how good a side this (Pakistan) team is and we don’t take any team we come against lightly,” he added.

Australia have never lost a T20I on home soil against Pakistan. The Men in Yellow won 2-0 in the three-match series the last time they hosted the opposition in 2019.