Pakistan vs Australia, AUS in PAK, 3 T20Is, 2026 Jan 29 Full score card

Salman Mirza could have ended with a wicket to his name! A low full toss, around off, Bartlett slams it back to Mirza, who tries to take it near his chest but fails as it comes back ferociously. It rolls away for a single. Pakistan win by 22 runs.

Bowls it very full, outside off, Bartlett swings his blade wildly and mistimes it back to Mirza.

On a nagging length, around off, Zampa punches on the up, past cover for one.

Overpitched, outside off, too wide. Bartlett carves it to deep point for a single.

Pushes it full, outside off, Bartlett exected anoter short ball, tries to drive it away from the body and misses. 26 needed in 4 balls.

SIX! OH, HANG ON! The game is not done yet! Bangs it short and around off, Bartlett anticipates the length, goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a six.

Salman Mirza to bowl the final over. 32 runs needed in 6 balls.

Too full and sliding on leg, Bartlett pushes with a straight bat to long on for one.

SIX! Bartlett connects one! Picks the slower delivery quickly as Afridi bowls into the surface, Bartlett clears his fornt leg and hammers it over mid-wicket for a six.

An in-angler, fuller and on leg, Zampa creates room on the off side and tucks it to square leg for a single.

Another single as Xavier Bartlett plays it to long on.

On a good length and on top of off. Zampa taps it to the left of point for a single.

Bowls it very full and around off, Bartlett whips it down to long on for a run.

Shaheen Afridi to bowl the penultimate over.

Tad short and around off, Xavier Bartlett keeps the strike as he works it to deep mid-wicket.

A googly, outside off and on a length, Xavier Bartlett looks to heave it but misses.

FOUR! Just short of Azam! Good effort though! Dragged down, around off, Xavier Bartlett pulls it over to long on. Babar Azam runs to his right and dives as the ball dips, stretches his right hand out but the ball bounces away for a boundary.

Bowls the wrong 'un, fuller and on leg, Xavier Bartlett gets low to pull but misses it. The ball stays shy low.

Bye! Floats it on the full side, the googly on leg, Zampa looks to slog-sweep but misses and it rolls past the stumps and past the keeper for a bye.

Bowls it on a good length, outside off, Zampa goes back and punches it to point.

A single to end the over as Adam Zampa plays it to deep mid-wicket.

Very full and on middle, whipped to deep mid-wicket for a single

Slows up the pace as Nawaz sees Zampa coming down the track, around off, Zampa knocks it past cover for a single.

Flatter and comes with the arm on leg, Zampa makes room and punches it in front of cover.

Touch fuller, turning in, on middle, Bartlett heaves it to deep mid-wicket, who runs in and picks up on a bounce.

FOUR! HIT HARD! Fractionally short from Nawaz, around off, Bartlett stands tall and dispatches it over long on ad it rolls to the fence. Need more boundaries.

Just a run and a wicket off the over! This is full and around off, turning away, Zampa plays it to cover.

A googly, fuller and around off, Adam Zampa leans and pushes it to cover.

Adam Zampa walks in to bat.

OUT! GONE! Josh Philippe goes and takes the remaining hopes with him. A carrom ball, touch shorter and around off, Josh Philippe goes back and opens up the leg side as he takes his front foot away, pulls it high and to deep square leg where Saim Ayub holds onto it.

Tossed up on middle, Xavier Bartlett flicks it to square leg for a single.

RIPPER! Abrar Ahmed lands it full and on middle, turns in sharply and goes past Xavier Bartlett's attempted flick, he gets squared up there. The ball rolls just past the leg pole.

Tossed up, around off, spinning in. Xavier Bartlett pushes it to cover.

Abrar Ahmed (2-0-4-1) is back on. A halt in play as one of the floodlights has gone off at the Gaddafi Stadium. Oh, it's back on quickly.

On a length, on off. Knocked down to long off for one by Bartlett. Australia need 58 off the last five overs.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Tad short, sliding into the middle stump line. Bartlett goes back and pulls it hard toward long on where Shadab Khan moves to his left, puts down the chance, and parries it over the ropes.

On a length, on off. Bartlett defends it back to the bowler.

JAFFA! Flatter delivery, sliding in, and spins late to beat the outside edge of Bartlett.

Flatter arm ball, on off. Bartlett stays back and defends it to short cover.

Tossed up full, on off. Philippe sits low and sweeps it hard to deep square leg for one.

Fuller googly, just outside off. Bartlett looks to drive but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Australia are in serious trouble. Xavier Bartlett comes in at number 9.

OUT! SHARP CATCH SENDS EDWARDS PACKING! Tossed up full, googly, on off. Edwards heaves it aerially toward the long on region. Babar Azam comes running in from the ropes and dives forward to take a brilliant grab. Australia slide into more trouble. Seven down now.

Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Philippe works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter googly, on the middle and leg. Nudged through the gap at mid-wicket for two more.

Looped up on the middle and leg. Edwards flicks it toward the deep square leg region and a misfield by Shaheen Afridi allows the triple.

Flighted full, on off. Edwards pushes it back to the bowler.

Tossed up full, on off. Edwards flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single. Australia are 99/6 after 13 overs. They need another 70 off 42 balls.

Slower through the air, and straighter delivery, just outside off. Edwards was playing for the spin, swings, and misses.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Philippe nudges it through the gap at square leg for a single.

Tossed up on a length, on off. Edwards knocks it down to long off for one.

The debutant, Jack Edwards comes to the crease at number 8.

OUT! MOHAMMAD NAWAZ GETS THE SET BATTER! Tossed up full, on off. Green makes space and tries to launch it over the long off fence, but he fails to get the height or the distance. Babar Azam, near the ropes, times his jump to perfection, and hangs onto a sharp chance. Australia slide further.

Flatter arm ball, on the leg. Philippe nudges it through the square leg region for a single.

Fuller than a length, angling into the middle and leg. Green flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket and takes two.

FOUR! Put away! Slower, back of a length, angling down the leg. Green picks it this time and helps it to fine leg for a much needed boundary.

Slower ball, short of a good length, angling in, and goes over the top of the stumps. Green is early into the pull, but gets deceived by the lack of pace.

Full pitcher on off. Green crouches low and lifts it on the bounce to the man at short extra cover.

Short of a good length, on the middle and leg. Philippe knocks it toward wide of mid on for a single.

Pace off, back of a length, angled into off. Green hacks the pull toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, on the middle and leg. Clipped toward the gap at deep mid-wicket and they scamper for the double.

On a length, around off. Green goes back and punches it down to long off for a single.

Flatter arm ball, on the leg pole. Philippe tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up full, just outside off. Philippe opens the bat's face and slices the drive through the gap at backward point for a brace.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Green knocks it down to long on for one.

Half the side is gone now. Josh Philippe comes to the crease next.

OUT! RUN-OUT! UNLUCKY WAY TO GO FOR OWEN! Flatter arm ball, just outside off. Green goes back and flat-bats it to Nawaz, who gets a hand on the way, before it ricochets onto the stumps at the bowler's end. Owen is out of the crease, and Pakistan have appealed for the run-out check. The TV umpire has been referred to check the replay. The replay confirms that the ball has made contact with the finger, and it is given OUT on the big screen. Owen departs for 8. Australia are five down.

DRINKS BREAK! Pakistani spinners have done an excellent job of ascending the required run rate to 9. Cameron Green has anchored from one side but has lost a couple of partners. Green will hope for Owen to hang in there, as Australia will bank on this partnership to do the job. Also, Mohammad Nawaz is into the attack.

Angles it full and on middle and leg, nudged to long on for a single to end the over.

Bowls it touch outside off, it lands and spins back in sharply. Green rocks back and clears his front leg, pushed to point. Abrar Ahmed appeals as he thinks it is off the pads.

Flights it full and around off, Owen presses forward and plays it to long off for one.

Keeps it outside off, touch short and skidding off the surface, Owen chops it to cover.

Bowls it full and wide of off, Green leans across and crunches it to long off for one.

Flatter delivery, outside off, Green goes back and punches it straight to point.

Overpitched, in the blockhole, on middle, this is hit to long off for one more.

Tossed up, fuller ball, around off, driven to long off for a single.

Around off and turning back in, slightly flat. Green slaps it to deep cover for a single.

On a good length, outside off, spinning away. Green goes back and cuts it to point.

Slightly short, on middle, pulled to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! FINE SHOT! Khan bowls it very full and on leg, Owen picks the length, gets on one knee and sweeps it down leg, very fine and past the fine leg fielder.

This one turns back in, on a length and outside off, Owen cuts it through point for a single. He is off the mark.

Ahmed pushes it wide outside off, too wide. Owen hits it to point.

Floats it full and outside off, Owen leans and defends it to cover.

Mitchell Owen replaces Cooper Connolly.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Another one bites the dust! Ahmed bowls a flatter delivery, outside off from around the wicket and turns in sharply. Cooper Connolly rocks back and cuts but gets beaten by the turn. Connolly fails and it crashes into the off pole. Huge turn on that one. Pakistan all over Australia with the double-wicket.

Tossed up, fuller and on middle, Cooper Connolly half presses to defend it out.

Cooper Connolly is the next batter in.

OUT! RUN OUT! Miscommunication and Renshaw has to go. Tossed up on the pads, Renshaw tucks it to Salman Agha at mid-wicket and runs across. Green is ball-watching and wasn't aware of the run. Sends back Renshaw from halfway down. Till then, Agha throws it to the keeper, who clips the bails off in a flash.

Will Saim Ayub bowl out? No, Abrar Ahmed replaces him.

Turning back in, length ball, around off, Green knocks it to cover.

SIX! Green hits one now! Fractionally short, outside off, spinning away. Green clears his front leg and whacks it over long on, flat for a six. Pure power.

Pushed through, fuller and around off, Renshaw reverse paddles it to third man for a single.

Touch fuller and on middle, angling in, Green bunts it to mid-wicket for a single.

Too full and around off, flicked to square leg for a single.

Wide! That could have been a risky leave! Down the leg side, it lands and spins back into the batter. Renshaw steps across and leaves and the ball whizzes past the leg pole.

This is full and around off, Green knocks it to long off for a single.

SIX! Ends the Powerplay on a high! Tosses it up, fuller and around off, stays low but Renshaw generates enough power as he weighs back, hits it over long on for a six.

The slider, on a length and on leg, Green punches it to long off for a single.

Pushes it full, around off, stays a bit low, this is flicked to mid-wicket for a single. 50 up for Australia.

FOUR! Solid shot! Pitches it up, around off, the carrom ball. Renshaw bends low and crunches over cover for a boundary.

Tossed up, fuller and around off from around the wicket, Renshaw taps it back to Ayub.

Flat and comes with the arm on leg, Green whacks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller than a good length, on the middle and leg. Green hacks it toward the wide of mid-on, and they sneak a quick single. After 5 overs, Australia are 44/2.

Slower, good length ball, on middle. Green backs away and dabs it toward the short third fielder.

FOUR MORE! Two in two! Short of a good length, just outside off. Green makes room and hammers it ferociously through the extra cover and mid off for another thumping hit.

FOUR! Thrashed! Back of a length, angling across the batter. Sits up nicely for Green, who slaps it over extra cover for a powerful boundary.

Short of a good length, skids through, just outside off. Renshaw taps it toward the backward point region for a single.

Fuller than a length on off. Renshaw knocks it toward silly mid-on.

WIDE! On a length and angling down the leg. Renshaw lets it go. Wide signaled.

Flatter carrom ball, on the middle and leg. Green works it through the gap at mid-wicket for two more.

Flighted full, on the middle and leg. Green heaves it high toward the wide long on region. Falls in no man's land, and they take two.

Fuller and quicker, at the stumps. Renshaw works it through the gap at mid-wicket for one.

Slower and shorter, around off. Renshaw knocks it toward short cover.

The next batter coming in is Matt Renshaw.

OUT! SAIM AYUB GETS THE BIG FISH! Tossed up full, on off. Head shimmies down and looks to clear the long off boundary, but it comes off the cue end, and it goes to Babar Azam coming in from the ropes, who takes a good, sharp catch. Australia lose their skipper for 23. The visitors are two down.

Very full, just outside off. Head bunts it back to the bowler.

Short of a good length, angling across the batter. Green swings and misses.

On a length, on off. Green steers it toward the man at short cover and looks to take the single but Head sents him back.

Slower ball on a length, close to the off-stump. Head backs away and chops it toward the man at point for a single.

Back of a length, angling in, and goes past the leg stump. Head makes room, swings at it but fails to connect.

SIX! Stand and deliver! Short of a good length, angled into the middle and leg. Head picks it early and launches it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Short of a good length, angling into off. Head pushes at it and gets the inside edge onto the pad.

Salman Mirza comes into the attack next.

Tossed up full, on off. Green prods and pushes it toward the man at mid off.

Cameron Green comes in at number 3.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! AYUB DRAWS FIRST BLOOD! Bowls the carrom ball, sliding into the middle stump line, much slower through the air, attacking the stumps. Short tries to heave it across the line but misses, and the ball rattles the stumps. Short goes for just 5. Australia suffer an early blow.

Tossed up on a length, angled into the middle. Head advances and looks to work across the line, ends up getting the inside edge onto the pad, rolls to short third for one.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Flatter arm ball, sliding into the middle and leg. Head goes back and punches it through the gap at covers for a lovely boundary.

Shorter and wider outside off. Head cuts and picks out the man at cover point.

SIX! BOOM! Tossed up full, at the stumps. Head shimmies down and smokes it over the long on fence for half a dozen.

Spin from the other end. Saim Ayub will share the attack.

FOUR! Streaky boundary to end the over! Full pitcher, swings back into the leg stump line. Short tries to flick it across the line but gets the inside edge that rolls down to fine leg for four runs.

Fuller than a length, angling back into the middle stump line. Short looks to work it across the line, but it comes off the toe end, rolls to the right of the keeper.

Short of a good length, outside off. Head carves it toward deep backward point for a single.

Skiddy length ball, moves away, around off. Head has a poke at it and gets beaten.

FOUR! Dispatched! Full pitcher, angling into the middle and leg. Head makes room and lifts it toward the wide long on region for a thumping boundary to get off the mark.

Australia are off and running! Fuller than a length on off. Short pushes it toward mid off and takes a quick single.

Pitched up on middle, Mohammad Nawaz backsaway and drives it to cover for a quick single. Pakistan end with 168/8.

Wide! Bowls it straight, full and down leg, Nawaz looks to whip it away but misses.

Bye! Mahli Beardman nails the yorker, outside off. Mirza swings and misses. Nawaz runs across and sneaks in a single.

NO BALL! FOUR! Oh, he almost had him! Shorter, outside off, Mirza pokes his blade at it, gets a thick outside edge and it flies past the keeper for a boundary. Mahli Beardman has overstepped. A free-hit is called...

Salman Mirza comes in next and will face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! GONE! Afridi goes on a duck! Angles in a length ball on the pads. Shaheen Afridi plays the pick up shot, aerially and to deep square leg where Mitchell Owen gets on his knee to take it. The debutant is on a hat trick.

Shaheen Afridi comes in next.

OUT! TAKEN! Maiden wicket for Mahli Beardman! Bangs it short, outside off, true bounce off the surface. Khan flat bats but cue ends his shot. Cameron Green runs to his left from long on and holds onto it. Australia have nailed the last four overs.

Lovely from Mahli! A slower bumper on middle, it skids a bit off the surface and stays very low. Shadab Khan opens up his body to pull but misses and it rolls over the stumps.

Serves in a fuller delivery onleg, Nawaz picks off the pads and clips it to mid-wicket for a single.

Keeps it full and close to the stumps, Nawaz whips it to long on for a single. 10 runs off the over. Australia will take it at this stage.

Wide! Serves in a yorker, down leg, Nawaz looks to flick it away but misses.

Bangs it short and bowls it on middle, gets big on Khan, who sways away, swings his blade and chops it to short third man for a single.

Short of a good length and on middle, Nawaz gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Pushes across a length ball, outside off, slower delivery. Mohammad Nawaz shapes for the reverse paddle and misses it.

SIX! Nawaz has picked the bones out of it. Overpitched as Xavier Bartlett looks for the yorker, on middle, Nawaz gets underneath and tonks it over long on for a six.

Serves in a very full delivery on middle, Mohammad Nawaz drills it back to the bowler.

Flat and turning in, just outside off, Shadab Khan stretches forward to sweep it away but the ball bounces a bit and hits him on the helmet. The physio is out for the concussion protocol. Adam Zampa ends with, 4-0-24-4.

OUT! Zampa picks the fourth wicket! Zampa keeps it away from the hitting arc, full and wide outside off, Usman Khan gets on his knee and drags his slog-sweep, hits off the toe end to long on where Cameron Green takes a dolly. Pakistan falling apart at the wrong time.

Half tracker, on middle and leg, Nawaz gets low and hits it to long on for a single.

Bowls in line of the stumps, fuller length, drilled to long on for a single.

Shorter and outside off, wide and spins away. Khan bends across and cuts it to point.

Bowls the slider on the length side, on off, Nawaz punches it back to Zampa, who half-stops and lets it roll through his legs for a single.

Excellent from Mahli Beardman! Just four runs off it. Hits the shorter length and on middle, Nawaz pulls, off the splice and to square leg for a single.

Beautifully bowled! Nails the yorker, on middle, in the blockhole, Nawaz digs it out well.

Good over so far! Just three runs off it. Pushes it full and wide outside off, played to deep point for a single.

Bowls the bumper into the surface on leg, Nawaz pulls it to the left of fine leg for a single.

A slower short ball on middle, Nawaz pulls along the ground to mid-wicket.

Hits the deck hard and bowls it outside off. Khan clears his front leg and tries to flat bat but bottom edges it to short third for one.

A bumper to end the over, on middle and leg, Khan pulls it to square leg and keeps the strike.

This is full and on leg, Nawaz nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

The next batter walking out is Mohammad Nawaz.

OUT! TAKEN! Xavier Bartlett finds his second wicket! Pushed through, full and on leg, Zaman makes room and comes down, plays the lofted shot but doesn't get the required connection. Cameron Green at long on takes a good catch. A struggling innings by Fakhar Zaman comes to an end.

Bangs it short and slides it on leg, Khan pulls it to fine leg for a single.

Touch fuller on middle and leg, slower delivery, Zaman turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

Huge appeal for LBW, turned down! A yorker, just drifting on leg, Khan squeezes it out past square leg for a single. It was clearly tailing down. Given as a leg bye.

Back of a length, angled into the hip. Usman advances and works it toward deep square leg for a single.

FOUR MORE! Short of a length, and follows the batter, outside the leg pole. Usman shimmies down and pulls it hard toward the deep mid-wicket region for back to back boundaries.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Back of a length delivery, outside off. Usman makes room, advances down, and slaps it hard through the point region for a powerful boundary.

Pace off on a length, outside off. Zaman cuts this toward deep backward point for a single.

Fuller than a length, at the stumps. Usman works it toward short mid-wicket and takes a quick single.

Short of a good length, outside off. Usman carves it toward deep backward point for a couple.

Zampa nearly takes a stunner! Tossed up full, on off. Usman prods and chips it toward the bowler, who leaps full stretch and gets a hand but fails to hang onto the chance. Single taken as the ball rolls into the outfield.

Usman Khan walks in at number 6.

OUT! LBW! Babar Azam goes. Fuller delivery on middle and leg, Babar Azam opts to reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but turned down. Australia appeal for it but turned down. The review loads. UltraEdge shows no bat. Ball Tracking shows THREE REDS. Excellent review from Australia and they have the big fish. Babar Azam goes for 24 (20).

Fuller delivery on middle, Zaman plays it past cover for a single.

Tossed up full, just outside off. Zaman tries the reverse sweep but fails to connect.

Tad short, around off. Babar goes back and pulls this toward wide of long on for just one.

SIX! UP AND OVER! Tossed up full, on off. Babar shimmies down and hammers it over the man at long on for half a dozen.

Short of a length outside the off stump. Zaman looks to cut but is through the shot too early and it rolls off the splice of his blade to the right of the bowler.

Slower and shorter on off. Babar swat-pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, on the middle and leg. Babar shuffles and clips it through the gap at backward square leg for a brace.

BYE! Skiddy length ball, outside off. Zaman swings and misses. A fumble from Philippe to collect the ball, allows a bye.

Pace off on a length, just outside off. Zaman plays and misses. Gets deceived by the change of pace.

Short of a good length, on off. Babar hits it on the up toward long on for a single.

Fuller on off. Babar makes room and eases the drive to long off for one.

WIDES! Fired in full, outside the leg pole. Zaman makes room but the ball goes down the leg. The keeper had no chance to stop but manages to get a hand and keeps it to two wides.

Flatter arm ball, just outside off. Babar makes room and dabs it through the gap at point for one.

Fuller and quicker on the leg pole. Zaman makes room and hits it down to long on for one.

FOUR! BANG! Tossed up full, outside off, but in the slot. Zaman clears the front leg and muscles it toward long on for a powerful boundary.

Very full on the leg. Zaman looks to work it across the line but gets a soft leading edge back to the bowler.

Darted on off. Zaman keeps it out.

LEG BYE! Slower, short of a good length delivery on off. Zaman looks to pull but is early into the shot. The ball clips the thigh pad and rolls toward the deep third for a leg bye.

Skiddy length ball, around off. Babar chops into the off-side and takes one. 100 comes up for Pakistan.

Back of a length, around off. Babar looks to pull but ends up flat-batting it down the pitch and hits the stumps at the bowler's end. The ball ricochets into the outfield and they scamper for the double.

FOUR! Hit with authority! Slower ball on a length, around off. Babar Azam picks it early and smashes it over mid off for a thumping boundary.

Short of a good length, angles in, around off. Babar Azam looks to cut hard but fails to connect.

On a hard length, on off. Zaman taps it into the off-side and calls for a quick single.

Fires it full and in line of the stumps. Babar Azam taps it back to Zampa. Excellent over from the spinner.

Tossed up, around off, nudged to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slows up the pace, bowls the googly outside off. Fakhar Zaman has a poke at it but misses.

Slightly short, outside off and stays low. Babar Azam had to fetch it a bit, hits it past cover for a single.

FOUR WIDES! Bonus runs! Serves it full and down leg, turning away. Zaman leans to flick but misses and it rolls past the keeper as well, to fine leg for three runs.

DRINKS! After a brisk start, Pakistan have lost both Saim Ayub and Salman Agha and will need to rebuild if they are to push towards a total in excess of 180. The pitch looks a belter, and Australia will be aiming to contain the scoring while striking regularly in the next passage of play.

OUT! TAKEN! Adam Zampa removes both the set batters. Nicely flights it up, touch fuller and on middle, Salman Agha comes down and tries to launch it straight but as the ball turns in, it takes the inner half of the bat and goes to long on. Xavier Bartlett takes it safely.

A single as Babar Azam helps it past short fine leg.

Fuller delivery, around off, Babar Azam drops it to cover for a quick single. He keeps the strike.

Wide! Bowls it full and going down the leg side, Azam looks to flick it away but misses.

Touch fuller, shaping on middle and leg, Azam turns it to square leg.

Good length, outside off, Agha taps it to point for a single.

Darts it full and on the pads, Babar Azam turns it to deep square leg for a single.

On a length and on off, Agha nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Oh, wonderful from Agha! Pitched straight up, outside off, Salman Agha half-presses and lofts it off the meat of the bat over extra cover for a six.

Serves it very full, outside off, Azam leans and drives it to cover.

Flatter and on middle, the wrong 'un, this is flicked to mid-wicket.

Babar Azam is the next batter in. He has been short of runs lately. Can he deliver in national colours?

OUT! TAKEN! Straight up and gone! Adam Zampa delivers his magic. Bowls slower in the air and floats it on middle, angling slightly in. Ayub comes down and heaves across but miscues it high in the air. Jack Edwards settles under it at long on and holds onto it. An entertaining innings from Saim Ayub 40 (22) comes to an end.

Bowls it well outside off, a googly. Ayub crunches it to the right of long off. Xavier Bartlett runs across, slides and does well to save a couple.

Very full and floated on middle, Ayub presses out, picks the length and slogs it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

On a good length and on middle, Salman nudges it to long on for a run.

More spin. Adam Zampa to roll his arms.

Tossed up on middle, Agha nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fractionally short, outside off, Ayub pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

TWO WIDES! Short and down leg, Agha fails to clip it away. The keeper fumbles to carry it and the ball rolls off his fingertips to short third man for a single.

Flatter delivery, outside off, slapped to long off for a single.

Agha tries to go big again but Short pushes it wide of off, this is lofted down to long off for one.

SIX! HIT AWAY! Short tosses it up from around the wicket and angles it on middle, Salman steps down and heaves it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Flights it full and on leg, swept to deep square leg for a single.

Different kind of spin from the other end. Matthew Short replaces Cooper Connolly.

Short in length, into the surface, outside off, Agha taps it to short third man. The fielder has a shy at the batter's end and hits the target. The replay shows Agha touched his blade over the crease on time.

Too full and on middle, Ayub flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Falls just in front! This is fuller and on middle, Ayub makes room and goes inside-out over extra cover. Cameron Green runs behind and dives forward but it falls yards in front of him.

FOUR! Ayub does it again! This is nonchalant! Short of a good length, straight on leg, Ayub helps with the line over short fine leg and it rolls to the fence. 50 up for Pakistan.

Saim Ayub tries to play in the same region but Beardman shortens his length. Ayub plays it to short fine leg.

SIX! Just like he hit it previously! Welcomes Mahli Beardman to the T20I circuit with a six! Pushed through, full and on leg, Saim Ayub just helps it on its way over fine leg for a six.

Fired in on the leg pole. Salman Agha swipes it straight to backward square leg fielder. After 5 overs, Pakistan are 43/1.

Darted on the leg. Salman lets it go, but it clips the pad on the way to short fine leg.

FOUR! Nicely done! Fuller and drifting down the leg. Salman sits low and sweeps it hard toward fine leg for four runs.

Very full, just outside off. Salman shimmies down, makes room, and drills it to the extra cover fielder.

Tad short, outside off. Salman makes room and slaps it to the man at short cover.

Fuller and quicker on the pad. Ayub sweeps it to deep backward square leg for one.

Full pitcher on off. Ayub bunts it toward mid-off for a single.

FOUR MORE! Two in two! Fuller than a length, outside off. Ayub shimmies down and smashes it over wide of mid-off for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Pace off on a length, angling down the leg. Ayub gets inside the line and helps it toward the fine leg fence for a boundary. He made it look effortless.

On a length, on off. Salman dabs it to the right of the backward point fielder for a single.

Pace off on a fullish length, around off. Ayub comes on the front foot and drives this to deep cover point for a single.

A dipping low full, just outside off. Salman hangs back and steers it toward the backward point for a single.

Tossed up on a length, on the leg. Salman shimmies down and eases it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller, around off. Salman slices the drive to the man at point.

WIDE! Flatter and sliding down the leg. Left alone by Salman. Wide signaled.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! Flighted full, just outside off. Salman shimmies down, gets to the pitch of the ball, and lifts it cleanly over the bowler's head for an effortless hit.

Tossed up on a length, on off. Ayub taps it into the off-side and takes a single.

Flatter, slower through the air, around off. Saim Ayub mistimes the cut into the off-side.

Tossed up on the leg. Salman flicks it toward short mid-wicket and a misfield allows the single.

Spin from both ends. Matthew Short is into the attack.

Tossed up on the middle and leg. Salman dances down and chips it over mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter and sliding just outside the leg stump. Salman plays and misses. Wide not given since it was inside the revised guideline.

SIX! UP AND AWAY! Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Salman sits low and nails the slog sweep over deep square leg boundary for half a dozen.

Flatter arm ball, sliding sharply into the middle and leg stump line. Salman makes room to cut but ends up chopping onto the pitch.

Fuller, drifted on the pad. Salman swipes it toward backward square leg.

Tossed up full, on off. Ayub sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Spin from the other end. Cooper Connolly will share the attack.

PEACH! Short of a good length, angles in and shapes away to beat the outside edge of Salman Agha.

Full pitcher outside off. Driven to sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller than a length, outside off. Ayub drives it crisply and picks out the man at cover.

SIX! BANG! On a good length, nips back into the middle and leg. Ayub dances down the pitch and smashes it over wide of long on boundary for half a dozen.

Fuller than a length, around off. Salman guides it off the outer half toward the deep third for one.

Skipper Salman Agha comes in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Dream start for Australia! Fuller than a length and a hint of swing on off. Farhan presses forward and chips it back to Bartlett who takes a simple catch. Farhan departs for a golden duck. Pakistan are rocked early.

We are done with the national anthems and it's time for action. The Pakistani players are out in the middle. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan to open for the home team. Xavier Bartlett to bowl first. Let's play...

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head (C), Matthew Short, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw (ON DEBUT), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (WK), Jack Edwards (ON DEBUT), Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman (ON DEBUT).

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (C), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of the home team and Pakistan opt to BAT first.

Battle begins - With quality and depth on both sides, the series promises an engaging contest. Who will strike first? We’ll find out shortly. Toss and team news coming up. Stay tuned.

Opportunity knocks for Australia’s young guns - Australia, meanwhile, last played a T20I series against India in November, with most of their squad recently featuring in the Big Bash League. Several key players, including Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, have been rested until the World Cup. At the same time, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, and Josh Inglis miss the opening game. Travis Head is expected to lead the side. The batting responsibility will rest on Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Josh Philippe, and Mitchell Owen. Adam Zampa headlines the bowling attack, supported by Matthew Kuhnemann, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis, with Cameron Green returning after a lengthy break and keen to reassert his all-round influence.

Confident Pakistan eye strong series start - Pakistan come into the series after a 1–1 draw against Sri Lanka, with one match washed out by rain. Salman Agha continues to lead a side rich in batting depth, boasting the likes of Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Khawaja Nafay. The presence of multi-skilled cricketers such as Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf provides excellent balance. In the bowling department, Shaheen Afridi returns from injury and will lead the attack alongside Naseem Shah. Settled and confident, Pakistan will be keen to make a strong start to the series.

Lahore is up and ready - With less than ten days remaining until the World Cup, the focus shifts to fine-tuning combinations and testing squad depth as another T20I series gets underway. Hello, and welcome to our coverage of the first T20I of the three-match series between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium. While Australia arrive without several first-choice players, Pakistan have named a full-strength squad as they look to settle on their best XI ahead of the global showpiece.

…MATCHDAY…

Final tune-up before the World Cup - Less than a fortnight remains until the T20 World Cup, and preparations are now in their final stages for the global event. Pakistan and Australia are set to face each other in a three-match T20I series in Lahore, with both sides keen to fine-tune their combinations and build momentum heading into the tournament. Australia hit by injuries - This marks Australia's first T20I assignment of 2026. They last played at home against India in November, and while they have not featured together since, the players have stayed in the T20 groove through the Big Bash League. The Aussies also went through a preparatory camp in Dubai ahead of this tour. From the preliminary 15-member squad, 10 players will travel to Pakistan, with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins still recovering from injuries. Tim David and Nathan Ellis also suffered setbacks during the BBL, while Glenn Maxwell has been rested to stay fresh for the World Cup. The injuries have opened the door for Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards, both of whom impressed in the BBL and now have a chance to push their World Cup claims. Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott are also among the pace bowling group. Adam Zampa and Matthew Kuhnemann lead the spin attack, while Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly add all-round value. Matthew Short and Mitchell Owen can also contribute with the ball. Cameron Green resumed bowling during the Ashes, though his role with the ball in this series and at the World Cup remains to be seen. In an extended 17-man squad, Matt Renshaw is in line for a T20I debut, alongside Travis Head, Josh Philippe, and Josh Inglis in the batting group. Mitchell Marsh will captain the side, although players involved in the BBL final last week, Marsh included, may be rested for the first game or two. Pakistan eye momentum - Pakistan enter the series looking to settle combinations and build rhythm. It also marks the return of Babar Azam, who missed the Sri Lanka series while playing in the BBL and will be keen to put that challenging phase behind him ahead of the World Cup. While Babar is expected to continue at number three, Fakhar Zaman batting outside the top four, and away from his usual opening role, remains a major talking point. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are set to open, but recent outings have brought starts without substantial scores. Captain Salman Agha, too, will be keen to have a greater impact. Khawaja Nafay and Usman Khan are the wicketkeeping options for Pakistan, with Nafay showing promise on debut earlier in the month against Sri Lanka and also in franchise leagues. The omission of Haris Rauf from World Cup plans has been a major discussion point. With Sri Lankan conditions in mind, Pakistan have gone spin-heavy, naming Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan, with both Nawaz and Shadab offering depth with the bat. A knee injury curtailed Shaheen Afridi's BBL stint, but he returns to lead a pace attack featuring Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim, and Faheem Ashraf. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - PAK - LWWLW | AUS - LLWWW. What to expect? The 2025 Champions Trophy games at the Gaddafi Stadium were largely high-scoring affairs. However, towards the end of the year, the last couple of T20Is here told a different story, with sides batting first managing totals of 110 and 139, and batting proving far from easy. Traditionally, the surfaces in Lahore have offered good value for batters, but it remains to be seen what kind of pitches are served up across this series. Australia have won the last 7 completed meetings between the two sides in this format. This will be the first bilateral T20I series between them in Pakistan, consisting of more than one game. There was a one-off T20I in 2022 here in Lahore, which Australia won. Can Pakistan turn the tide at home, or will Australia's dominance continue? We shall find out.