Saim Ayub shines as Pakistan triumph over Australia in T20I opener

T20I – (Web Desk) – Pakistan opener Saim Ayub delivered an all-round masterclass as the Green Shirts defeated Australia by 22 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. Ayub combined a quick-fire 40-run innings with two crucial wickets, helping Pakistan defend a modest total of 168.

Chasing 169, Australia struggled to build momentum, finishing at 146/8 in 20 overs. The tourists started brightly, with opener Matthew Short and stand-in captain putting together 21 runs off the first 10 balls, but Ayub struck early, dismissing Short for a four-ball 5. He followed it up in the very next over by sending back Travis Head, who had launched two sixes and as many fours in a 13-ball 23.

Australia’s middle order, led by Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw (15), tried to stabilize the chase with a 40-run partnership, but Renshaw’s run out in the eighth over triggered a collapse. Wickets tumbled quickly, including Green’s cautious 36 off 31 balls, leaving Australia struggling at 112/8 in 15.4 overs, unable to recover.

No.10 batter Xavier Bartlett then played a quickfire cameo at the backend, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 25 deliveries, but his efforts were insufficient to steer Australia over the line.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Ayub claimed two wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with one apiece.

Spinners shine with a disciplined show 💫

Pakistan secure a comfortable 22-run win over Australia in the first T20I 👏#PAKvAUS | #MateWeAreReady | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/gJYudwmvm6

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 29, 2026

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first backfired as his team’s batting unit could accumulate 168/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

The home side got off to the worst possible start to their innings as they lost opener Sahibzada Farhan for a diamond duck.

Following the early stutter, Saim Ayub and captain Agha stabilised the innings by putting together 74 runs for the second wicket.

Zampa broke the crucial partnership on the fourth delivery of the eighth over by dismissing Ayub, who remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a 22-ball 40, featuring three fours and two sixes.

Agha was then involved in a brief 12-run partnership for the third wicket with Babar Azam until falling victim to Xavier Bartlett in the 10th over and walked back after scoring 39 off 27 deliveries, laced with four sixes and a four.

Salah Ends Drought as Liverpool Thrash Qarabag 6-0

Babar was then joined by Fakhar Zaman in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to add 37 runs for the fourth wicket before Zampa struck, dismissing the former, who made 20-ball 24 with the help of one six and a four.

Babar’s dismissal followed two more setbacks for Pakistan as Zaman (10) and wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan (10) perished in quick succession, bringing the total down to 149/6 in 17.5 overs.

All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz then added valuable runs at the backend with an unbeaten 15 off 14 deliveries amid Pakistan’s disappointing death batting, during which they lost two more wickets.

Adam Zampa spearheaded Australia’s bowling attack with economical bowling figures of 4/24 in his four overs, while Bartlett and debutant Mahli Beardman bagged two wickets each.