Pakistan vs Australia 1st T20I Highlights: Spinners Lead Pak To 22-Run Victory Over Australia

Seven years of waiting, ended in one night - The home team start the series on a perfect note. One will say Australia were missing quite a few core members, but they were expected to give a fight. With a couple of players coming back in for the second match, we should get a much more neck-to-neck game. That concludes this game. Join us back for the second T20I on the 31st of January at 11 am GMT. You can join us a lot sooner for the build up. Goodbye and cheers!

Pakistan's captain - Salman Agha says they started well with the bat but couldn't finish as they wanted to, as it was challenging to bat after 10 overs. Reckons that he will bat at number 3 as he feels he can dominate against the spin. Shares that he felt 170 was enough, but could have scored 10-15 more. On Abrar Ahmed,  Agha says he has been outstanding since his debut. Agha expressed hope that the team can carry this form into the World Cup.

The skipper of Australia -  Travis Head spoke after the match, calling the result disappointing but acknowledging that sometimes things don’t go as planned. He noted that scoring became difficult as the ball got softer. Head praised the debut performances of several players and singled out Mahli Beardman, Adam Zampa, and Xavier Bartlett for their strong contributions. He concluded by emphasizing the team’s focus on improving and performing better in their next outing.

Saim Ayub wins the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance - Ayub says the conditions were a bit challenging, but his plant was to dominate with the new ball as much as possible. Reckons that with the ball, he tried to hit the good length as it was not easy to score.

...Presentation....

Earlier in the game - Pakistan’s innings proved to be a tale of two halves, collapsing from a position of strength to finish on a modest 168/8. A brisk 74-run partnership between Salman Agha and Saim Ayub. At the halfway mark, the hosts sat comfortably at 92/3. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as the middle order crumbled against Australia’s disciplined attack. Adam Zampa turned the game on its head, finishing with stellar figures of 4/24. Pakistan managed only 76 runs in the back ten overs. They looked 10-15 runs short but Pakistani spinners turned up for the task.

The middle order collapse - Abrar Ahmed showed his magic as he tightened the screws by dismissing Cooper Connolly. The visitors' woes were compounded by a stroke of misfortune when Owen was found short at the bowler's end. While wickets tumbled around him, Cameron Green remained the lone warrior, keeping Australian hopes alive. However, his dismissal in the 13th over proved to be the final nail in the coffin. With Green gone, the visitors entered a downward spiral, losing wickets at regular intervals as their momentum vanished.

A fight against the spin - The Australian chase began with a characteristic blitz from skipper Travis Head, who took the attack to the Pakistani bowlers from the opening delivery. Head seemed to find his rhythm instantly. However, the momentum shifted when Saim Ayub struck a crucial blow, cleaning up Short and Head cheaply.  In the wake of the openers' departures, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green opted for a more measured approach. Just as the partnership began to look promising, a moment of individual brilliance from Salman Agha in the field turned the tide. A lightning-fast piece of fielding caught Renshaw comfortably short of his ground, providing Pakistan with a vital breakthrough just before the halfway mark.

History made in Lahore - For the first time in 7 years, Pakistan have conquered the Aussies in a T20I. With a clinical 22-run victory, the Men in Green take a 1-0 lead in the series. The drought is over, and Pakistan have picked the right momentum before the mega event kicks off.

Salman Mirza could have ended with a wicket to his name! A low full toss, around off, Bartlett slams it back to Mirza, who tries to take it near his chest but fails as it comes back ferociously. It rolls away for a single. Pakistan win by 22 runs.

Bowls it very full, outside off, Bartlett swings his blade wildly and mistimes it back to Mirza.

On a nagging length, around off, Zampa punches on the up, past cover for one.

Overpitched, outside off, too wide. Bartlett carves it to deep point for a single.

Pushes it full, outside off, Bartlett exected anoter short ball, tries to drive it away from the body and misses. 26 needed in 4 balls.

SIX! OH, HANG ON! The game is not done yet! Bangs it short and around off, Bartlett anticipates the length, goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a six.

Salman Mirza to bowl the final over. 32 runs needed in 6 balls.

Too full and sliding on leg, Bartlett pushes with a straight bat to long on for one.

SIX! Bartlett connects one! Picks the slower delivery quickly as Afridi bowls into the surface, Bartlett clears his fornt leg and hammers it over mid-wicket for a six.

An in-angler, fuller and on leg, Zampa creates room on the off side and tucks it to square leg for a single.

Another single as Xavier Bartlett plays it to long on.