Pakistan Post 168/8 After Batting First in First T20 Against Australia

News Desk 

Lahore: Pakistan scored 168 runs for the loss of eight wickets after batting first in the opening T20 of the three-match series against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Pakistan’s innings got off to a poor start as opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck on the very first ball of the match, caught by Xavier Bartlett. The early setback put pressure on the hosts, but Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings with a responsible partnership.

The duo added 74 runs, playing positive cricket and rebuilding the innings. Saim Ayub was the second wicket to fall after scoring 40 runs.

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He was caught by Jack Edwards off Adam Zampa’s bowling. Captain Salman Ali Agha followed soon after, scoring 39 runs, while Babar Azam contributed 24 runs before being dismissed.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals in the latter half of the innings. Usman Khan scored 18 runs, Fakhar Zaman made 10, Shadab Khan was dismissed for one, and Shaheen Shah Afridi was out for a duck. Mohammad Nawaz remained unbeaten on 15 runs at the close of the innings.

For Australia, Adam Zampa was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets. Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman supported well, picking up two wickets each.

Pakistan finished their innings at 168 for eight in the allotted 20 overs.