In a gripping encounter in Lahore, Pakistan emerged victorious by 22 runs in the first Twenty20 international against Australia. The match, held on Thursday, saw all-rounder Saim Ayub play a pivotal role, leading his team to a spin-assisted win.
Saim Ayub’s Brilliant Knock
Ayub’s explosive 22-ball 40 was the highlight of Pakistan’s innings, helping them reach 168-8 in their allotted 20 overs. His innings included two sixes and three fours, providing much-needed momentum. Alongside him, Salman Agha contributed 39 off 27 balls, hitting four sixes and a four. Despite a strong partnership between Ayub and Agha, Pakistan struggled to finish their innings as Australian spinner Adam Zampa made inroads, taking 4-24. Zampa’s brilliant performance saw him dismiss both Ayub and Agha in successive overs, along with Babar Azam (24) and Usman Khan (18).
Australia’s Spin Woes and Pakistan’s Dominance with the Ball
In response, Australia managed 146-8 in their 20 overs, with spin playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s dominance. Saim Ayub continued to impress, claiming two early wickets, dismissing both Australian openers—Matthew Short (5) and Travis Head (23). Despite some resistance from Cameron Green, who top-scored for Australia with 36 runs off 31 balls, Australia’s batsmen struggled against Pakistan’s spinners. Abrar Ahmed was the star with the ball, taking 2-10, while Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan chipped in with a wicket each.
Team Effort and Strategic Leadership
Pakistan’s skipper Agha praised his team’s overall performance, acknowledging the challenges faced while batting. “It was a great game with a complete team effort. We started well with the bat but couldn’t finish the way we wanted,” said Agha. “It became challenging after the first 10 overs as the ball stopped coming onto the bat, but I think we were outstanding with the ball.”
On the other hand, Australia’s stand-in captain Travis Head expressed his disappointment with the batting performance. “It was disappointing, but that’s how batting goes sometimes,” said Head. “We felt like we dragged it back well after the first 10 overs, but as the ball got softer, it became harder to score.”
A Look Ahead to the T20 World Cup
Both teams are using the series as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. This match highlighted the importance of spin bowling and showcased Pakistan’s depth in both batting and bowling, with Ayub’s all-round performance setting the stage for more exciting contests ahead.