LAHORE: Saim Ayub delivered a fine all-round performance as Pakistan beat a largely second-string Australia by 22 runs in the first Twenty20 international in Lahore on Thursday.
Put in to bat, Pakistan posted a competitive 168 for eight against an Australian side led by stand-in captain Travis Head and featuring three debutants. Ayub top-scored with 40, while captain Salman Agha added 39.
Pakistan were jolted early when opener Sahibzada Farhan fell for a first-ball duck, but Ayub and Salman repaired the innings with a 74-run partnership.
Australia clawed back through leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who returned figures of four for 24 after dismissing both set batters and later removing Babar Azam (24) and Usman Khan (18), checking Pakistan’s momentum when they looked on course for a total beyond 175.
In reply, Australia were restricted to 146 for eight despite a late flourish from number 10 batter Xavier Bartlett, who hit an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls.
Ayub continued to make an impact with the ball, dismissing Matthew Short in his first over and then removing Head (23) in his second. Australia’s chase was further dented by run outs of Matt Renshaw and Mitchell Owen.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz effectively sealed the contest when he cut short Cameron Green’s promising innings of 36 in the 13th over.Bartlett struck two sixes in a spirited knock, but it only narrowed the margin of defeat.
The remaining two matches of the series, which serves as a warm-up for next month’s T20 World Cup, will be played at the same venue on Saturday and Sunday.
