In a thrilling start to the T20 series, Pakistan clinched a convincing 22-run victory over Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Saim Ayub’s all-round brilliance lit up the match, earning him the Player of the Match award and propelling Pakistan to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan endured an early setback, losing Sahibzada Farhan for a duck on the first ball. Captain Salman Agha and young gun Saim Ayub steadied the ship with a crucial 74-run partnership off 45 balls. Ayub smashed 40 off 22 deliveries, including two sixes and three fours, before departing, while Agha contributed a gritty 39 from 27 balls with five boundaries.
Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam then added 37 runs for the fourth wicket, with Babar scoring 24. Usman Khan chipped in with 18 as Pakistan reached 168 for 8. Australia’s Adam Zampa was the standout bowler, claiming 4 for 24, supported by Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman with two wickets each.
Chasing 169, Australia stumbled early. Matthew Short fell for 5, and captain Travis Head managed 23 off 13 balls with two sixes and two fours. By 28 for 2, the pressure mounted. Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw fought back with 40 runs, but wickets tumbled thereafter. Bartlett’s unbeaten 34 and Zampa’s 5 offered late resistance, but Australia finished at 146 for 8.
Saim Ayub returned with 2 for 21, matching Abrar Ahmed’s figures. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz picked up one wicket each. Ayub’s dual impact proved decisive, setting a dominant tone for Pakistan in the series.