Pakistan claim comfortable win in PAK vs AUS 1st T20I

Hosts Pakistan claimed a comfortable 22-run victory in the first game of the three-match T20I series against Australia on Thursday (January 29) to claim a 1–0 lead in the series. 

After Pakistan chose to bat first at Lahore, they scored 168/8 in 20 overs. In reply, Australia were restricted to 146/8 in 20 overs, as Pakistan claimed their first T20I victory against Australia after more than seven years, after seven defeats and one no result. 

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Saim Ayub and Salman Agha provided strong start before late batting struggle

The series started with Sahibzada Farhan’s dismissal, as Xavier Bartlett recorded a caught and bowled on the first ball of the match. Another opener Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha then had a 74-run partnership for the second wicket. While Saim scored 40 off 22 balls with three fours and two sixes, skipper Salman scored 39 off 27 balls with one four and four sixes. 

Since that second wicket partnership was broken, Pakistan batters were losing wickets after getting some starts, as only Babar Azam (24) managed to reach the 20-run mark among the others. 

Among Aussie bowlers, Adam Zampa got four wickets (4/24), while Xavier Bartlett (2/26) and debutant Mahli Beardman (2/33) picked up two wickets each. 

Pakistan bowlers controlled game completely

In reply, Australia were losing wickets at regular intervals, as the visitors were never in the chase. Apart from the skipper and opener Travis Head (23) and the no.3 batter Cameron Green (36), only the no.9 batter Xavier Bartlett (34*) managed the 20-run mark in that innings.

Player of the Match Saim Ayub not only scored 40 runs but also took two wickets, as he had the bowling figures of 3-0-29-2. Also, Abrar Ahmed got two wickets with the brilliant bowling figures of 4-0-10-2.