Saim, Abrar Star as Pakistan Beat Australia by 22 Runs

News Desk 

Lahore: Pakistan produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Australia by 22 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday night.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 168-8, recovering from a shaky start when Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball. 

Opener Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings with a blazing 74-run partnership in just 7.4 overs. Saim’s quickfire 40 off 22 balls, combined with Salman’s 39 off 27 balls, including four towering sixes, laid the platform for Pakistan’s middle-order contributions. Babar Azam (24) and Fakhar Zaman (10) added 37 runs to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Usman Khan chipped in with 18 runs.

Australia’s response got off to a promising start, reaching 52-2 at the end of the powerplay, powered by Travis Head’s brisk 23 off 13 balls. 

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pakistan-post-168-8-after-batting-first-in-first-t20-against-australia/

However, Pakistan’s spinners took full control in the middle overs. Abrar Ahmed was outstanding, conceding just 10 runs and picking up 2 wickets in his 4-over spell. Saim Ayub impressed with the ball as well, taking 2 wickets for 29 runs in three overs. 

Muhammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan also chipped in with a wicket each, while Shaheen Shah Afridi went wicketless, giving away 29 runs in three overs.

Australia’s middle-order struggled under pressure on the sluggish Gaddafi pitch. Debutants Mahli Beardman, Jack Edwards, and Matt Renshaw showed promise, with Bartlett and Zampa forming notable partnerships. 

Bartlett remained unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls, hitting three boundaries and two massive sixes. Cameroon Green top-scored for Australia with 36 runs, while Adam Zampa claimed four key wickets for 24 runs, including Saim, Salman, Babar, and Usman. Despite their efforts, Australia fell short at 146-8, 22 runs behind Pakistan.

Head, standing in as captain, acknowledged the defeat but praised the debutants’ performances, saying, “We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out. Even though the result didn’t go our way today, there are things we did well and areas to improve.”

Saim Ayub was named Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance with both bat and ball. Pakistan will look to carry this momentum into the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on January 31 at 4 pm PST.