Pat Cummins has backed Steve Smith's ambitious bid to play in cricket's return to the Olympics despite the star batter being snubbed for Australia's T20 World Cup campaign.
Fresh from his extraordinary BBL cameo with the Sydney Sixers this summer, Smith will join the Tim Paine-coached Sialkot Stallionz for the Pakistan Super League that begins in March.
Smith's maiden PSL appearance looms as a chance to keep pushing his case for an international T20 recall, as well as another contract in the lucrative Indian Premier League.
The 36-year-old played the last of his 67 T20 internationals in February 2024 but has voiced a strong desire to play for Australia when cricket is back in the Olympics for the first time in 128 years.
Smith will be 39 when the 2028 Los Angeles Games get underway.
Cummins, who will miss the World Cup due to an ongoing back injury, believes Smith will be right in contention for selection should his stellar form continue.
"(Smith) had a great BBL season," the Prime Video ambassador told AAP.
"I'm sure he would have been close (for the World Cup) ... the conversation around role and looking for an extra middle-order batter.
"He's obviously been flying, but at the top of the order, so it would have been close.
"He's been going as well as he ever has in T20 cricket, and I can't see it finishing any time soon.
"I know he's going to be close (for the Olympics)."
Typically an opener in the shortest format, Smith has joined as the Stallionz's maiden signing for their first season.
Other overseas talent is expected to sign on as part of the league's auction on February 11.
Smith took his great form from Australia's 4-1 Ashes triumph into this summer's BBL, where he averaged 59.8 from six knocks as the Sixers finished runners-up to Perth Scorchers.
His 100 against the Sydney Thunder was one of the most memorable knocks in BBL history, hitting arguably the biggest six at the SCG when he smashed a ball onto the roof of the Brewongle Stand.
Despite his domination of the BBL, Smith was overlooked, twice for Australia's 15-player squad for T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Travis Head and captain Mitch Marsh are set to open the batting, while Matt Renshaw was included as a batter last week when Matt Short was dropped.
As recently as last month, Smith had expected the Major League Cricket season in winter would be his next cricket commitments after the BBL.
He is still set to be available for that tournament, which will fall between the PSL and Australia's two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay in August.
Smith last played in the IPL back in 2021 with the Delhi Capitals, but his irresistible form would make him attractive for any franchise that needs an injury replacement player during this year's tournament.
Amazon Prime Video exclusively broadcasts all ICC tournaments into Australia, including the men's T20 World Cup, starting on February 7
