All-rounder Saim Ayub produced a superb performance as Pakistan opened their T20I series against Australia with a 22-run win in Lahore on Thursday. Ayub top-scored with a blistering 40 off 22 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours, while skipper Salman Ali Agha made a fluent 39 off 27 deliveries to guide Pakistan to 168 for 8 after opting to bat first.
Despite a shaky start when Sahibzada Farhan bowled the first ball, Ayub and Agha tied the innings with 74 runs. Australia broke through through Adam Zampa, who took 4 for 24, dismissing Ayub, Agha, Babar Azam (24) and Usman Khan (18) as Pakistan managed just 31 runs in the last five overs.
In response, Australia struggled with Pakistan’s spinners and were restricted to 146 for 8. Ayub struck again with the ball, dismissing openers Matthew Short and Travis Head, while Cameron Green’s 36 offered brief resistance. Abrar Ahmed played with 2 for 10, supported by Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan.
Salman praised the collective effort while Travis Head admitted that batting was difficult as the ball went soft. The remaining two matches will also be played in Lahore.
