Key Australian players may miss the T20I series against Pakistan later this year to prepare for the five-match Test series against India, starting on November 22, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo.

Australia’s multi-format stars will have up to four Sheffield Shield matches to fine-tune their skills for the Test series, with the Shield season beginning on October 8. However, their availability for the Sheffield Shield will likely be affected by the limited-overs series against Pakistan.

The three-match ODI series against Pakistan starts on November 4 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, followed by matches in Adelaide and Perth on November 8 and 10, respectively. After the ODIs, Pakistan and Australia will compete in a three-match T20I series from November 14-18.

Given the proximity of the T20Is to the start of the India series, only players not participating in the Test series are likely to be selected for the T20Is, as stated in the ESPNCricinfo report.

The schedule for the Pakistan vs Australia ODI series is as follows:

• 4 November: MCG, Melbourne (D/N)
• 8 November: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)
• 10 November: Perth Stadium, Perth (D/N)

The schedule for the Pakistan vs Australia T20I series is:

• 14 November: The Gabba, Brisbane (N)
• 16 November: SCG, Sydney (N)
• 18 November: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (N)