Smith and Warner not included in Australia's ODI squad for Pakistan series

With their year-long bans due to end on March 28, the pair would be eligible to return to the international side for the final two matches of the series

Steve Smith and David Warner have been left out of Australia's squad for the five-match ODI series against Pakistan starting on March 22.

With their year-long bans due to end on March 28, the pair would be eligible to return to the international side for the final two matches of the series.

However, with both batsmen recovering from elbow surgery, Australia selector Trevor Hohns has commented that "the best pathway for their return was to play in the Indian Premier League," and therefore neither will join up with the Australia squad.

Smith will represent Rajasthan Royals and Warner Sunrisers Hyderabad in the competition which begins on March 23.

^{The duo's bans for their part in the ball-tampering scandal come to an end on March 28}

"Cricket Australia will continue to liaise with both Steve, David and their IPL clubs to monitor progress as we build towards the ICC World Cup and the Ashes," Hohns continued.

Mitchell Starc also misses the cut for the 15-man squad as the fast bowler looks to recover from an injury to his left pectoral muscle ahead of the World Cup.

Australia squad

Aaron Finch*, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa.

Fixtures

March 22: First ODI, Sharjah

March 24: Second ODI, Sharjah

March 27: Third ODI, Abu Dhabi

March 29: Fourth ODI, Dubai

March 31: Fifth ODI, Dubai