Saim Ayub’s all-round performance helped Pakistan defeat Australia comfortably by 22 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series on January 29, 2026, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. They lost Sahibzada Farhan on the first ball of the innings. Captain Salman Agha then took the responsibility of rebuilding the innings with Ayub, and the pair stitched together a 74-run partnership off 45 balls. Agha scored 39 off 27 balls, while Ayub made 40 off 22 balls. Both batters were dismissed by Adam Zampa, who finished with figures of 4/24 in his four overs.
The rest of Pakistan’s batting line-up struggled, but the team managed to post a competitive total of 168/8. Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman chipped in with two wickets each for Australia.
In reply, Pakistan kept taking wickets right from the beginning. Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets and conceded just 10 runs from his four overs at an excellent economy rate of 2.50, while Ayub finished with figures of 2/29 in his three overs. Except for Cameron Green’s 36 and Bartlett’s unbeaten 34, none of the other Australian batters could offer much resistance, as Australia were restricted to 146/8 in their 20 overs.
Ayub was adjudged the Player of the Match. The second match of the series will be played at the same venue on January 31.
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