Pakistan began the first T20I in Lahore with early trouble as Sahibzada Farhan fell on the first ball. Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha then took charge and rebuilt the innings with calm and intent. Ayub showed attacking intent straight away, hitting his first ball for six. The pair added 74 runs for the second wicket, with Agha scoring 39 off 27 balls and Ayub making 40 off 22.
Pakistan scored 56 runs in the power play, their joint highest power play score against Australia in T20Is. Even after the field spread, the runs continued to flow as the pair kept the pressure on the bowlers.
Zampa pulls things back for Australia
Australia fought back through Adam Zampa, who bowled a tight and clever spell. He dismissed both Ayub and Agha and later removed Babar Azam, who struggled to find rhythm and scored 20 off 24 balls. Fakhar Zaman also failed to get going, making 10 off 16 balls.
Zampa finished with excellent figures of 4 for 24, slowing Pakistan down in the final overs. A late cameo from Usman Khan helped Pakistan reach a fighting total of 168 for 8 on a slow pitch.
Ayub strikes early as Australia chase
Australia started the chase with intent, led by stand in captain Travis Head. He hit an early six but fell for 23 when Ayub had him caught at long off. Ayub had earlier removed Matt Short, giving Pakistan early control.
Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw added 40 runs and kept Australia in the game. However, a poor run out of Renshaw changed the momentum completely.
Spin and pressure seal the game
Abrar Ahmed then struck twice, including the wicket of Cooper Connolly, and Australia lost wickets in quick succession. Runs dried up as Pakistan spinners controlled the middle overs. Abrar finished with 2 for 10, while the combined effort of Ayub, Abrar, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz proved too strong.
Australia were restricted to 146 for 8, handing Pakistan a 22 run win. It was Pakistan’s first T20I victory over Australia in eight years and a strong start to the three match series.
