Saim Ayub produced a match-winning all-round performance as Pakistan defended a modest total to beat Australia by 22 runs in the 1st T20I of the three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Chasing 169, Australia never fully recovered after early breakthroughs and finished on 146/8 in their 20 overs.
Australia started the chase with quick intent, scoring 21 runs in the first 10 balls, but Saim Ayub stopped the early momentum by removing Matthew Short for 5 off 4.
He struck again in his next over, dismissing Travis Head, who had looked dangerous with 23 off 13 that included two fours and two sixes.
After the double blow, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw tried to rebuild and added 40 runs for the third wicket. However, Renshaw’s run out on the first ball of the eighth over triggered a collapse that pushed Australia further into trouble.
Australia kept losing wickets and slipped to 112/8 in 15.4 overs, leaving the chase out of reach. Xavier Bartlett, batting at No. 10, fought late with 34 off 25*, but it wasn’t enough to change the result.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz picked up one apiece.
Pakistan Recover After Early Blow
Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha opted to bat first, and the hosts posted 168/8.
Pakistan had a nightmare start when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a diamond duck. But Ayub and Agha steadied the innings with a strong 74-run stand for the second wicket.
Australia’s key breakthrough came when Adam Zampa dismissed Ayub in the eighth over. Ayub top-scored for Pakistan with a blazing 40 off 22 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
Agha then added a brisk 39 off 27, smashing four sixes and a four, before falling in the 10th over. Pakistan then leaned on Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman to build a platform, but the scoring rate dipped during the middle overs.
Zampa removed Babar for 24 off 20 (one four, one six), and Pakistan soon lost more wickets as Fakhar Zaman (10) and Usman Khan (10) departed quickly, leaving the hosts at 149/6 in 17.5 overs.
Pakistan’s finish wasn’t explosive, but Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with 15 off 14*, helping them get to 168 despite losing two more wickets late.
For Australia, Adam Zampa was the standout bowler with 4/24, while Xavier Bartlett and debutant Mahli Beardman claimed two wickets each.
Pakistan now take a 1-0 lead in the series and will look to carry the momentum into the next match.
