LAHORE: Chasing a target of 169, Australia’s batting lineup struggled, managing only 146/8 in their 20 overs, as Pakistan secured a 22-run victory in the opening match of the three-game T20I series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Pakistan’s young all-rounder Saim Ayub played a pivotal role, scoring a quick 40 and taking two wickets to help defend a modest total of 168.
Australia started their chase with intent, with openers Matthew Short and stand-in captain putting on 21 runs off the first ten balls. However, Ayub made an immediate impact by dismissing Short, who scored five from four balls. Ayub struck again in his subsequent over, removing Head, who had blasted 23 runs off 13 balls, including two sixes and as many fours.
Following Ayub’s breakthroughs, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw attempted to stabilize the innings, forming a 40-run stand for the third wicket. Renshaw’s effort ended when he was run out on the first ball of the eighth over, which triggered a batting collapse. Green, who remained Australia’s top scorer with a cautious 36 off 31 balls, was also dismissed, as the visitors slipped to 112/8 after 15.4 overs.
In the final overs, Xavier Bartlett provided some late fireworks with an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls, but it wasn’t enough to overhaul Pakistan’s total.
For Pakistan, bowlers Abrar Ahmed and Ayub each claimed two wickets, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket apiece.
Captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first was met with early trouble, as opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed without scoring. Nevertheless, Ayub and Agha steadied the innings, adding 74 runs for the second wicket.
Zampa broke this partnership by dismissing Ayub in the eighth over, with the 23-year-old top-scoring for Pakistan with a 22-ball 40 that included three fours and two sixes. Agha then shared a brief 12-run stand with Babar Azam until he was caught by Xavier Bartlett in the 10th over, finishing with 39 off 27 balls, featuring four sixes and a four.
Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman then batted cautiously, adding 37 runs for the fourth wicket. Zampa struck again, dismissing Babar, who scored 24 off 20 balls with a six and a four.
Pakistan’s lower order struggled, losing Zaman and wicketkeeper Usman Khan in quick succession, reducing the total to 149/6 in 17.5 overs. All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz contributed a vital unbeaten 15 off 14 balls during Pakistan’s late innings, though the team lost two more wickets in the death overs.
Adam Zampa led Australia’s bowling effort, returning impressive figures of 4/24 in four overs. Bartlett and debutant Mahli Beardman both took two wickets each to cap off the victory.
