Pakistan Vs Australia, 1st T20I: All-Round Saim Ayub Helps Men In Green Prevail In Opener
Pakistan beat Australia in a T20 international for the first time in eight years on Thursday (January 29, 2026). The comfortable 22-run win to open the three-match series pitted a full-strength Pakistan against an under-strength Australia just over a week out from the T20 World Cup. The spin quartet of Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz — all selected for the T20 World Cup — shared six wickets to restrict Australia to 146-8 in reply to Pakistan's 168-8. Ahmed led with 2-10 off four overs and Ayub's two wickets included Australia stand-in captain Travis Head for a 13-ball 23.
Australia's Xavier Bartlett plays a shot during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed celebrates after the dismissal of Australia's Josh Philippe during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz, center, celebrates with teammate after the dismissal of Australia's Cameron Green, right, during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Australia's Cameron Green bats during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Australia's Travis Head follows the ball after playing a shot for boundary during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Australia's Adam Zampa, left, celebrates with teammate after the dismissal of Pakistan's Usman Khan during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Australia's Xavier Bartlett, center, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Pakistan's Babar Azam reacts as he walks off the field after his dismissal during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha, left, follows the ball after playing a shot as Australia's Josh Philippe watches during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
Pakistan's Saim Ayub plays a shot during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan. | Photo: AP/K.M. Chaudary
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