Pakistan Struggle as Australia Posts Dominant 169 in First T20I

Pakistan were left to settle for a modest total of 168 for eight against Australia in the opening T20I of the three-match series on Thursday, serving as preparation for next month’s T20 World Cup. Opting to bat, Pakistan suffered a nightmare start when Sahibzada Farhan, one of their most prolific run-scorers in the format of late, perished off the very first ball. He chipped a simple return catch to Xavier Bartlett, immediately putting the hosts on the back foot.

The innings was revived by a brisk stand between captain Salman Azhar and Saim Ayub. The pair added 74 at close to ten an over, injecting much-needed momentum through aggressive intent. Ayub showed signs of a return to form, striking 40 from just 22 balls, peppering the boundary with two fours and three sixes.

At the halfway mark, Pakistan were at 92-3.

Australia found a crucial breakthrough when Adam Zampa dismissed Ayub in his first over, a moment that swung the contest back in the hosts’ favour. Zampa struck again soon after, removing Azhar for a 27-ball 39, as Pakistan struggled to maintain the tempo through the middle overs.

Babar Azam continued to search for fluency, labouring to 24 from 20 balls before falling, while Fakhar Zaman’s promotion down the order failed to pay off; he managed only 10 from 16 deliveries. With the innings stalling, Usman Khanna and Mohammad Asif attempted to lift the scoring at the death but were unable to break free. Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi also departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan short of a late surge.

Zampa was the standout with the ball, finishing with four wickets, while Bartlett and debutant Mahli Beardman claimed two apiece.