Pakistan and Australia will clash in the first T20I of their three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, January 29. Pakistan recently toured Sri Lanka for a three-match series against Dasun Shanaka’s side, which ended in a 1-1 draw after the second match was abandoned due to rain. The home side will be eager to start their series strongly, building on lessons from Sri Lanka, while relying on key players in both batting and bowling to gain an early advantage in the tightly contested T20I series.

Australia, meanwhile, arrives fresh off an exciting Big Bash League season, where Perth Scorchers claimed the title by defeating Sydney Sixers. Boasting a formidable squad of T20 specialists, the Australians will enter the Lahore series as favourites. However, Pakistan’s home advantage, familiarity with local conditions, and experienced players make them a dangerous opponent. Both sides will aim to set the tone early, with the first T20I expected to be a high-intensity clash full of big-hitting and tactical bowling battles.

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PAK vs AUS, 1st T20I: Live Streaming Details

PAK vs AUS, 1st T20I: Probable Playing XI

Pakistan (PAK):

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Australia (AUS):

Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis

Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan used WWE superstar John Cena's infamous 'you can't see me' gesture to mock Ruyel Miah, a local Bangladeshi bowler, during the Rajshahi Warriors vs Sylhet Titans BPL 2026 match on January 16 at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. After what happened forced the batter to put his hand on his head in disappointment.

Sahibzada Farhan came to bat as one of the openers for the Rajshahi Warriors in this match. He started his innings in a watchful manner with the intention to shift gear after facing a few balls. During the beginning of the fourth over of the first innings, the right-handed batter made his intention clear by smashing Ruyel Miah for an over-boundary followed by the 'you can't see me' gesture to provoke the pacer.

The batter did the act after defending the second delivery of the over. For the third delivery, the seamer put a good-length ball, angling outside of the off-stump. Farhan swung his bat with the hope of gathering some runs. In reality, it was an outside edge which ended on the fielder's palm. Farhan departed for only 14 runs in 12 deliveries with one boundary and one over-boundary.

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Watch sahibzada Farhan's 'You can't see me' gesture here

🚨 SAHIBZADA FARHAN HUMBLED AT BPL 🚨

Over 3.1 - Farhan smashed a Six vs Ruyel 😲

Over 3.2 - Farhan tried to mock Ruyel with 'You can't see me' gesture 👀

Over 3.3 - Ruyel sends Farhan towards the pavilion 😆

- Just Look at the Celebration of Ruyel 😅pic.twitter.com/sNR99XQdA2

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) January 17, 2026

It was a close game between the Rajshahi Warriors and the Sylhet Titans as the contest stretched until the very last ball of the match. Warriors won the match by only 5 runs. They registered 147/8 in the first innings, and Titans got 142 runs, losing 9 wickets. 

Ripon Mondol claimed 4 wickets in his four-over spell for an economy rate of 8.50. He scored 7 crucial runs as well.

Visitors Pakistan started their Sri Lanka tour just ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 strongly with a comfortable six-wicket win in the first game of the three-match T20I series on Wednesday (January 7).

After Pakistan chose to field first at Dambulla, they bowled out Sri Lanka for only 128 runs in 19.2 overs. In reply, the visitors comfortably chased the target in 16.4 overs after losing four wickets.

Pakistan bowlers dominated Sri Lankan innings

Apart from Janith Liyanage, who scored 40 runs off 31 balls with two fours and one six, no other Lankan batters managed to reach the 20-run mark in that innings. 

Among the Pakistan bowlers, Salman Mirza (3/18) and Abrar Ahmed (3/25) got three wickets each, Mohammad Wasim (2/7) and Shadab Khan (2/25) picked up two wickets each. 

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Sahibzada Farhan scored 51 runs

In reply, Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a perfect start in the low chase. They had a 59-run partnership for the first wicket in 5.5 overs, where Saim scored 24 off 18 balls with three fours and one six before losing his wicket. 

Sahibzada scored 51 off 36 balls with four fours and two sixes, but the visitors had a little collapse, as they lost three wickets for 12 runs, battling at 106/4 in 13.2 overs. Usman Khan (7*) and Shadab Khan (18*) confidently finished the game without any further hiccups. For his useful all-round performances, Shadab Khan got the Player of the Match award. 

Although four Sri Lankan bowlers managed to pick up one wicket each, they didn't have many runs to defend. 

In this Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan will play three T20Is before starting their journey in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. While India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the upcoming ICC tournament between February 7 and March 8, Pakistan will play all their matches in the tournament in Sri Lanka, including the Semi-final and Final, if they qualify. 

A few weeks ago, Zee Studios in Pakistan had produced a documentary on the Pakistan opening batter, Sahibzada Farhan, titled ‘Hero in the Making’, highlighting the Asia Cup 2025 performance of the right-handed batter, who became the very first batter of world cricket to smash a six in T20I cricket against the premier Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah.

The film places special emphasis on the three sixes against Bumrah. The 29-year-old smashed a fine knock of 57 runs during the final of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium before playing two more sensational knocks of 63 and an unbeaten 80 runs against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe later in the home T20I side.

See Also: Twitter Reactions: Hardik Pandya celebrates 25-ball fifty during IND vs SA 1st T20I

The former Indian opener and the renowned commentator, Aakash Chopra, decided to go after Farhan for the documentary during the live commentary of the opening T20I between India and South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Chopra claimed, “Bumrah ko chakka maarna aasan nhi h agar kuch log maar le toh documentary bhi bana lete h.”

Watch: Aakash Chopra laughs at Sahibzada Farhan’s documentary during IND vs SA 1st T20I

Overall in 35 innings of the T20I cricket, Farhan has smashed 857 runs at an average of 25.20 and a strike rate of 128.48 with the help of seven half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 80 runs. In 139 T20 innings, he has scored 4355 runs at a strike rate of 137.03, with six centuries and 28 half-centuries.

Watch the video here:

Aakash Chopra ka hesitation: ‘Bhai chakka laga… par itna content nahi tha ki documentary ban jaaye!’ 😅🏏”#INDvsSA #Akashvani @cricketaakash pic.twitter.com/A8dB08tbhB

— Ajinkya Karale (@oyeaju24) December 9, 2025

In the Cuttack T20I, India posted a massive score of 175/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Hardik Pandya slammed a fine unbeaten knock of 59 runs in 28 balls at a strike rate of 210.71 with the help of six boundaries and four sixes, while the other batters struggled in the middle for a strike rate of around 110.

The Proteas were bundled out for 74 in just 12.3 overs. All of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy picked up four wickets each, while Pandya and Shivam Dube had one wicket each. India clinched a 101-run victory to go 1-0 up in the series.

The Pakistan opening batter, Sahibzada Farhan, who became the very first batter of the country to nail India’s premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, for a six, has mocked the ability as the video went viral across social media platforms. In the video, he made fun of the Gujarat pacer, whom he broke during the 2025 Asia Cup.

The 29-year-old has overall smashed 682 runs in 31 innings of the T20Is at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 123.55 with the help of five half-centuries at the best score of 74 runs. In overall T20s, the right-handed batter has nailed 4180 runs in 135 innings at an average of 33.44 and a strike rate of 136.46, scoring six centuries and 26 fifties at the best score of unbeaten 162 runs. He was in good form against India in the Asia Cup 2025. 

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“I got to know that he (Jasprit Bumrah) is the same bowler who was yet to be smashed for a six. I said to myself How can it happen. So three innings and 150+ runs alone- when we play, we don’t put attention on who is in front of us.” Farhan expressed in the viral video.

Watch: Sahibzada Farhan laughs at nailing Jasprit Bumrah for sixes during Asia Cup 2025

In one of the games against India, the right-handed opening batter smashed 58 runs in 45 balls at a strike rate of 128.88 with the help of five boundaries and three sixes. Despite a brisk start with the bat, the right-handed batter couldn’t post a score above 130 strike rate as Bumrah went for 0/45 in his four overs. 

Sahibzada Farhan reflecting on how he exposed Bumrah bowling.

Biggest nightmare for india.. pic.twitter.com/8vzUz6nbWa

— Maaz (@IsThatMaaz) November 20, 2025

During the final of the tournament, Farhan smashed 57 runs in just 38 balls at a strike rate of 150 with the help of five boundaries and three sixes as the rest of the line-up, apart from Fakhar Zaman, fell like a pack of cards to get bundled out for 146.

India completed the chase by five wickets with two balls to spare as Tilak Varma smacked an unbeaten 69 runs in 53 balls. However, they have yet to experience the trophy in their hand, even after two months of the title-winning campaign.

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been suspended for two matches after the latest official verdict from the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the pacer missed the first ODI of the three-match home ODI series against South Africa on Tuesday (November 4). Here we can know the reason for his suspension. 

Why has Haris Rauf been suspended for two games?

The Asia Cup 2025 was in the heat whenever India faced Pakistan. They faced thrice, including the Final, and all were in the hot atmospheres due to various reasons. During the matches against India, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf repeatedly made provocative gestures. The ICC statement confirmed that Rauf was found guilty in two separate incidents during the group stage (September 14) and the Final (September 28) against India in the Asia Cup 2025, as his conduct was noted "that brings the game into disrepute" as per Article 2.21.

Rauf has been punished with a total of four demerit points, two demerit points from each game, which equals two suspension points, as the fast bowler will miss two international matches for Pakistan. So, apart from the ODI series opener, Rauf will also miss the second game of the series, scheduled on Thursday (November 6). Apart from receiving two demerit points from each match, Rauf has also been fined 30% of his match fees from each fixture.  

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There are more demerit points for Indian and Pakistan players 

Meanwhile, Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has been fined 30 percent of his match fees and handed two demerit points for breaching Article 2.21 in relation to their group stage meeting against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. In relation to the same match, Pakistan cricketer Sahibzada Farzan has been issued an official warning and handed one demerit point. 

Indian right-arm fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has also been issued an official warning and handed one demerit point for breaching Article 2.21 during the Asia Cup 2025 Final against Pakistan.

On the other hand, another Indian left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was charged with a breach of Article 2.6 during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Six clash against Pakistan, which was related to any gesture that is obscene, offensive, or insulting for actions. However, Singh ultimately hasn't been punished with anything, as the match referee Andy Pycroft didn't find him guilty. 

The T20I opening batter of the Pakistan side, Sahibzada Farhan, was caught smiling and clapping after he heard obscene remarks on India’s premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, during the third T20I of the three-match series against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. He shared a fierce battle with the pacer during the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025. 

Farhan became the first and only batter to nail the Ahmedabad-born pacer for three sixes in a T20I. Across the match-up, the right-handed batter has taken India's Bumrah to the cleaners for 51 runs in 34 balls, including six boundaries and three over boundaries. The opener was also the first batter of the Pakistan side to hit a six off Bumrah in international cricket.

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A video has gone viral on social media platforms, showing Farhan enjoying the explicit chants by one of the home fans against Bumrah. The fans were chanting ‘Bumrah ke abbu (Bumrah’s father), putting the camera towards the pacer, and it appeared that the opener was clearly enjoying the derogatory comments.

Watch: Sahibzada Farhan smiles at derogatory comments on Jasprit Bumrah during Lahore T20I

The third and final T20I between Pakistan and South Africa was the series decider in Lahore after the visitors won the opening game comfortably before the hosts made a strong comeback in the second clash. The Rainbow Nation, however, continued their poor show with the bat even in the third fixture.

"BUMRAH KAY ABU" chants in the front of Sahibzada Farhan 🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/Za5vYjRNYL

— Ahtasham Riaz (@ahtashamriaz22) November 1, 2025

South Africa lost both Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre-Pretorious for ducks in three balls of the opening batter. Reeza Hendricks slammed 34 runs but at a strike rate of below 100 with the help of two boundaries. Their captain provided the fire in the middle order with 29 runs in 14 balls at a strike rate of 207.14, smashing three over boundaries and one four. Corbin Bosch remained undefeated on 30 runs to push them to 139/9.

Babar Azam was the main batter in the middle during the chase for Pakistan as he creamed a fine knock of 68 runs in 47 balls at a strike rate of 144.68, while Salman Agha nailed 33 runs to complete the chase by four wickets to seal the series by 2-1.

Another 'Gunfire Celebration' from a Pakistani batter after scoring a hundred. Experienced Pakistan batter Mohammed Rizwan was on the non-striker's end when his batting partner did the 'Gunfire Celebration.' 

After Sahibzada Farhan, it is now Mohmmad Haris who has recently caught cricket fans' attention not only for batting reasons but also for manifesting expression through a 'Gunfire Celebration' after scoring a hundred during Pakistan's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26. The Peshawar Cricket Team survived the early blows for their two centurions against the Sialkot Stallions. Experienced Rizwan is the leader of the team, who scored the first hundred of the match and helped his team to bounce back. Haris joined the captain in the middle after the fall of their 5th wicket. 

When Haris completed his century, Rizwan was unbeaten for 123 off 203 deliveries. Haris took 113 deliveries to touch the hundred-run milestone. The right-handed batter guided the ball towards the square leg for a single and completed the century. At first, his celebration was looking normal, throwing arms in the air, with a smile on his face, and he received greetings from the batting partner as well. Then, in a moment, Haris held his bat like a gun and pointed at someone. 

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MUHAMMAD HARIS WITH MAIDEN FC TON AND GUN CELEBRATION..!! 🔥pic.twitter.com/Bs1a7MDJsz

— junaiz (@dhillow_) October 9, 2025

Where does the 'Gunfire Celebration' come from?

Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan's gesture after scoring a half-century against India during the Asia Cup 2025 created a lot of controversies. During the Super Four match of the tournament, the Pakistan opener displayed the 'Gunfire Celebration.' This celebration came just months after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 innocent Indian tourists were killed.

Cricket fans strongly criticized the gesture of the batsman. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged a complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in protest. ICC match referee Richie Richardson gave a warning to the Pakistan opener. 

Sahibzada Farhan hit a huge six against ace India spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The Pakistan opener played a well-controlled fifty-plus runs in the final of the 2025 Asia Cup against India at Dubai International Stadium. 

Before losing the scalp against Varun Chakravarthy, Farhan scored 57 against 38 balls. His innings was laced with five boundaries and three over-boundaries. One of the three over-boundaries was against Yadav; during the last ball of the 7th ball of the first innings, the right-handed batter hoisted the ball for a maximum.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and decided to bowl first. Usually, the surface of the Dubai International Stadium is suitable for a run chase in the second innings. And India, throughout the Asia Cup 2025, performed brilliantly while batting in the second innings. 

Read More: Ravi Shastri Caught Up with Surya, Waqar in Talks with Salman Ali Agha in IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Final

Farhan's massive 6 vs Kuldeep Yadav 

When India and Pakistan met twice before in the tournament, Men in Blue won those matches with ease. But a final is always a different caliber contest, where anything can reflect on the scorecard. 

Proving many critics wrong, Pakistan started the first innings in an intense manner. For today's match, Farhan and Fakhar Zaman came to open the innings, and they scored 84 runs together in the first wicket. Both the batters played in attacking mode after watching the first few overs. During the last over of the 7th of the first innings, Farhan went deep into the crease and clubbed the ball over the deep square leg for a big six. 11 runs came from that over. Yadav pitched the middle in the middle of the pitch, a little bit short and towards the leg stump. The batter got plenty of time to adjust and made a charge on the ball. 

The Asia Cup 2025 Finals begun between India and Pakistan, with a brisk start from the openers for Pakistan. Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan started the innings on strong footing as both teams are trying to take the early initiative in a match that promises high drama between these two arch-rivals in Dubai.

At the 9.4-over mark, Varun Chakravarthy provided a significant breakthrough for India by getting rid of Sahibzada Farhan. Farhan had been aggressive from the outset and had made 57 runs off 38 balls with plenty of boundaries. He attempted to pull a googly pitched outside off, but got is wrong and was caught by Tilak Varma at deep mid-wicket, it ended an 84-run partnership. The wicket gave India a grip on the game ahead of the drinks break.

Farhan's attacking innings had built a really strong platform for Pakistan, but his dismissal was a key breakthrough and changed the momentum a little towards India. Saim Ayub was joined at the crease by Fakhar Zaman and opened his account with a single run. Fakhar continued to play the anchor role, while India hoped to capitalize on this important breakthrough.

Live Score Update:

Pakistan is at 113/1 after 12.4 overs, with Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub at the crease. The innings has started brightly for Pakistan, but India will be looking to use this breakthrough to get control of the run rate. The momentum of the match is still fairly even as both teams contest for the title in this high stakes final.

Watch the video here

🚨 WICKET!🚨

Sahibzada Farhan c Tilak Varma b Varun Chakravarthy for 57(38) [5x4, 3x6]!
He smashed a six earlier in the over but got out trying for another. Frustrated, he thuds the bat on the ground. Big moment!#Cricket #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/R4XuybRyOo

— Asia Voice 🎤 (@Asianewss) September 28, 2025

See Also: Ravi Shastri Caught Up with Surya, Waqar in Talks with Salman Ali Agha in IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Final