Spinners Power Pakistan to First T20 Win Over Australia Since 2018

 


Pakistan registered their first T20 victory over Australia since 2018, ending a long losing streak with a convincing 22-run win in Lahore on Thursday. One match between the two sides was washed out in 2019, but in the seven games played since then, Pakistan had lost all seven. Despite ongoing uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, this victory marked an important start to their preparations for the global tournament.

Spinners dominated the opening match on the slow Lahore surface, claiming 10 of the 16 wickets to fall. Two dismissals came via run-outs, while only four wickets were taken by fast bowlers. Notably, none of Pakistan’s pacers picked up a wicket, as all their breakthroughs came through spin.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 168 for 8 in their 20 overs. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a first-ball duck, but fellow opener Saim Ayub provided early momentum with a brisk 40 off 22 balls, the highest strike rate among Pakistan’s batters.

Babar Azam scored 24 off 20 deliveries, once again raising concerns about his strike rate. Captain Salman Ali Agha, promoted to No. 3, played a crucial knock of 39 off 27 balls. However, none of the other batters managed a substantial contribution. Australia’s bowlers conceded 17 runs in extras, which proved costly in the final outcome.

Among the Australian bowlers, spinner Adam Zampa was outstanding, taking 4 wickets for 24 runs. Pacers Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman claimed two wickets each. Despite the win, Pakistan’s relatively modest scoring rate will be a concern going into the World Cup, where dew is expected to play a major role and teams batting first may need at least 180 runs to feel safe.

Chasing 169, Australia lost opener Matthew Short early for just 5. Skipper Travis Head, who had been in fine form during the series, failed to continue his run and was dismissed for 23 off 13 balls. Saim Ayub continued his impressive all-round display by removing Head with the ball.

Cameron Green fought hard with 36 off 31 deliveries, but Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs, which left them struggling to keep up with the required rate. Bartlett attempted a late charge with 34 off 25 balls, but it was not enough to change the result.

Pakistan’s bowlers maintained excellent discipline and conceded just three runs in extras — a key factor in their victory. Australia finished on 146 for 8 in 20 overs, falling short by 22 runs.

Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz took one apiece. The remaining two dismissals were run-outs. Remarkably, Pakistan’s pace attack, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, went wicketless, as it was the spinners who ultimately sealed the match for the hosts.

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