Pakistan ended a long wait for T20 success against Australia with a 22-run victory in the first Twenty20 International of their three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 29 January 2026, snapping an eight-year drought in the head-to-head format. The win — Pakistan’s first T20I victory over Australia since 2018 — also gave them a 1–0 lead in the series and a confidence boost ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan managed 168 for 8 in their 20 overs on a pitch that gradually eased for bowlers as the game progressed. After a disappointing start with Sahibzada Farhan dismissed first ball, middle-order batter Saim Ayub played a crucial all-round role, top-scoring with a brisk 40 off 22 balls and later picking up key wickets with his part-time spin. He shared an important 74-run partnership for the second wicket with captain Salman Ali Agha, who contributed 39 off 27, laying the platform for Pakistan’s total.
Australia’s bowling attack enjoyed some early success, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa delivering a standout performance of 4 for 24 to keep the tourists within touching distance and stem Pakistan’s momentum in the middle overs. However, Pakistan’s cautious but effective buildup earlier in the innings ensured they posted a defendable score.
In the chase, a relatively inexperienced Australian side — missing several senior names and featuring three T20I debutants — were unable to sustain the required momentum. Cameron Green top-scored with 36 off 31 deliveries and Xavier Bartlett added 34 not out off 25, but regular breakthroughs from Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack kept the run rate in check and prevented any long partnerships. The visitors were ultimately restricted to 146 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 22 runs.
Pakistan’s spinners shared the bulk of the wickets, with Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz all making significant contributions in useful spells, combining with Ayub’s part-time bowling to stifle Australia’s progress through the middle overs.
The victory not only marks a rare win over the Australians in T20 internationals, but also signals Pakistan’s improving form and tactical maturity in the shortest format. Prior to this match, Pakistan had lost several consecutive T20Is against Australia since their previous win in Dubai in 2018, with a string of defeats and a no-result in between. Breaking that streak highlighted not just a statistical milestone but a psychological lift ahead of their World Cup preparations.
For Australia, the result was a reminder of the challenges that come with managing squad rotation and integrating new players, especially in conditions that favoured spin and tactical bowling changes. While Zampa’s four-wicket haul showed individual class, the collective batting performance lacked the firepower and consistency needed to chase a target above 160 on a pitch that became increasingly tricky to score on later in the innings.
Captain Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub’s contributions with both bat and ball earned particular praise, with Ayub’s all-round display being instrumental in Pakistan’s win. Their performances illustrated the depth in Pakistan’s T20 squad and underscored the key role spin could play in upcoming matches, especially in South Asian conditions expected during the T20 World Cup.
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