All-round Ayub powers Pakistan to 22-run win over Australia in first T20I
Pakistan's Saim Ayub plays a shot during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on January 29, 2026. Photo: AFP
Pakistan beat Australia by 22 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead, with the series serving as preparation for next month’s T20 World Cup.
Chasing a target of 169, Australia were restricted to 146 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, with five batters failing to reach double figures.
Cameron Green was Australia’s top scorer, making 36 off 31 balls, while Xavier Bartlett added 34 off 25 down the order but was unable to prevent the 22-run defeat.
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/gJYudwmvm6Saim, who emerged as the top scorer with 40 runs, also contributed with the ball, picking up two wickets. Abrar also claimed wickets, conceding just 10 runs in his four-over spell.
Earlier, after opting to bat, Pakistan were left to settle for a modest total of 168 for eight.
Pakistan endured a nightmare start when Sahibzada Farhan, one of their most prolific run-scorers in the format of late, perished off the very first ball. He chipped a simple return catch to Xavier Bartlett, immediately putting the hosts on the back foot.
The innings was revived by a brisk stand between captain Salman Agha and the young Ayub. The pair added 74 at close to ten an over, injecting much-needed momentum through aggressive intent. Ayub, showing signs of a return to form, struck 40 from just 22 balls, peppering the boundary with two fours and three sixes.
At the halfway mark, Pakistan are 92-3 🏏
📺 Watch live in the UK region, sign up now at https://t.co/Z0RXSR7gYM#PAKvAUS | #MateWeAreReady | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/0JLWyo2FbYAustralia found a crucial breakthrough when Adam Zampa dismissed Ayub in his first over, a moment that swung the contest back in the hosts’ favour. Zampa struck again soon after, removing Agha for a 27-ball 39, as Pakistan struggled to maintain the tempo through the middle overs.
Babar Azam continued to search for fluency, labouring to 24 from 20 balls before falling, while Fakhar Zaman’s promotion down the order failed to pay off; he managed only 10 from 16 deliveries.
With the innings stalling, Usman Khan and Mohammad attempted to lift the scoring at the death but were unable to break free. Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi also departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan short of a late surge.
Zampa was the standout with the ball, finishing with four wickets, while Bartlett and debutant Mahli Beardman claimed two apiece.