LAHORE: Pakistan defeated Australia by 22 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. Saim Ayub shone with both bat and ball for the hosts, while captain Salman Agha and Abrar Ahmed also contributed to the team’s win in the series opener.
With the win, the Salman Agha-led team take the 1-0 lead.
Batting first, Pakistan scored 168/8 in 20 overs with the help of Ayub’s 40-run innings and Agha’s 39.
Chasing 169, Australia started the proceedings with an aggressive intent but quickly unraveled against Pakistan’s disciplined spin attack. While Travis Head provided a brisk start with 33 off 13 balls, he fell to the spin of Saim Ayub (2/29 in 3 overs), who proved to be a surprise weapon by picking up two early wickets. Cameron Green (36 runs off 31 balls) tried to anchor one end while wickets tumbled around him and the required run rate continued to climb.
The Australian middle order, missing several veteran stars like Tim David and Glenn Maxwell, struggled to cope with Pakistan’s spin attack. Abrar Ahmed (2/10 in 4 overs) was the standout performer with the ball, claiming two wickets (Cooper Connolly and Josh Philippe), effectively breaking the back of the Australian chase.
Mohammad Nawaz provided the decisive blow by dismissing Green, leaving the visitors in deep trouble at 96/6 in 12.2 overs. While the Australian tail, led by Xavier Bartlett (34* off 21), tried defiantly, Australia ultimately finished their 20 overs at 146/8, handing Pakistan a comfortable 22-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.