Big victory as Pakistan defeated Australia by 22 runs in the first T20 at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. Saim Ayub took 2 wickets and raced to 40 runs quickly. As a result, Pakistan clinched their first T20I triumph over Australia in more than seven years.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. They managed 168 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs. Although Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck in the first over, Saim and captain Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings. Together, they added a 74-run partnership, which proved vital.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam returned to the T20 side after a challenging Big Bash League season. However, he could score only 24 runs before spinner Adam Zampa dismissed him. Zampa finished with four wickets, including Saim and Salman. In addition, Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman took two wickets each, putting more pressure on Pakistan.
Spin Attack Controls Australian Batting
Pakistan’s decision to include four spinners paid off handsomely. For instance, Saim removed Travis Head, who had scored 23 runs with two sixes and two fours. He also dismissed Matthew Short in his very first over. Furthermore, Abrar Ahmed took two wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan shared another two wickets.
On the other hand, Australia’s Cameron Green and Xavier Bartlett scored 36 and 34 runs respectively. Additionally, smart fielding led to two run-outs, which further hampered the Australian chase. Consequently, Pakistan restricted Australia to 146 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs.
Players React to the Match
After the match, Salman Ali Agha praised his team. “We started well with the bat, but the ball slowed after ten overs. Still, our bowling was outstanding,” he said. He also mentioned that the pitch looked dry at the toss and expected little turn in the first innings.
Meanwhile, Travis Head from Australia acknowledged Pakistan’s strong performance. He stressed the need to stay adaptable and said the match would help his team prepare for the T20 World Cup.
Upcoming Matches and Series Context
Australia arrived in Lahore on Wednesday for their third tour of Pakistan. All three T20Is will take place at Gaddafi Stadium on January 29, 31, and February 1. Moreover, Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain, praised Pakistan’s home advantage and said his team was ready for the challenge.
This series follows a three-match Test and ODI series in 2022, as well as a past T20I where Australia narrowly won at Gaddafi Stadium. Therefore, both teams plan to use this series to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Teams
In an exciting clash at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan fielded a formidable lineup led by captain Salman Ali Agha, with explosive talents like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman anchoring the batting. The team’s balance was further strengthened by all-rounders Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz, while the pace and spin attack featured the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed.
Facing them, Australia brought a competitive squad headlined by Travis Head and Cameron Green, supported by Matthew Short, Matthew Renshaw, and dynamic batsmen like Cooper Connolly and Josh Philippe. The Australian bowling lineup, including Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, and Mahli Beardman, promised a tough challenge, setting the stage for a thrilling contest between two cricketing powerhouses.
