Pakistan secured a convincing 22-run victory over Australia in the first T20I of the three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Opting to bat first, the hosts posted a competitive 168 for 8 in their 20 overs. The innings began with an early setback as opener Sahibzada Farhan departed for a golden duck on the first ball, but Saim Ayub (40 off 22) and Salman Agha (39 off 27) steadied the ship with a brisk 74-run partnership in just 46 deliveries. Despite contributions from Babar Azam (24 off 20), regular wickets in the middle and death overs prevented Pakistan from pushing toward a bigger total.
Australia's chase unraveled against Pakistan's disciplined spin attack. The visitors were restricted to 146 for 8 in their allotted overs, falling well short of the 169-run target. Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed (2 wickets each), Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan (1 each) dominated the bowling effort, exploiting the surface effectively and applying consistent pressure. The spinners' collective performance dismantled Australia's middle order, ensuring no substantial partnership could develop after the early overs.
The result gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series, highlighting their strength in home conditions and spin-friendly pitches. Australia's top order, including Travis Head and Matthew Short, provided a promising start earlier in the chase, but the spin trio's accuracy and variations proved decisive in the middle overs. Adam Zampa had earlier starred with the ball for Australia, claiming 4 for 24 to limit Pakistan, yet the batting unit could not capitalize on that foundation.
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This victory underscores Pakistan's tactical edge in subcontinental T20 cricket, where spin often plays a pivotal role. The hosts' ability to recover from a poor start and then defend a modest total through varied bowling showcased their depth and adaptability. For Australia, the defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by quality spin on turning tracks, prompting areas for improvement ahead of the remaining matches.
The match sets an intriguing tone for the series, with Pakistan gaining early momentum and confidence. Fans at Gaddafi Stadium witnessed a classic contest of spin versus aggressive batting, ending in a deserved home win. Attention now turns to the second T20I, where Australia will look to level the series and address their spin-handling vulnerabilities.
Also Read: AUS vs PAK T20i: Australia Regain Momentum After Saim Ayub's Two Wickets in 169-Run Pursuit