The Pakistan team secured the first match at the PAK vs AUS T20 World Cup Preparation 2026, as the match was played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. They mark at 168/8 after which they held Australia at 146/8.
The list of matches is extended already to February 1, as far as the last training before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
Upcoming Matches
Second Match: Jan 31, 2026
Third Match: Feb 1, 2026
Stadium: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, at 4:00 PM PKT
Match 1 Summary: Pakistan Dominates at Lahore
Pakistan Innings: 168/8 (20 Overs)
Saim Ayub had 40 off 22 balls, three fours and two sixes at the beginning. He recorded 2/29 bowling three overs through his left-arm spin bowling. He dismissed Matthew Short for just 5 runs. The powerplay early momentum was given by his strike rate of 181.82 to Pakistan. His match-winning performance earned him Player of the Match.
Captain Salman Agha also batted 39 runs with the help of 27 balls, with which there were four huge sixes. This aggressiveness was manifested by his strike rate of 144.44.
Australia presented the best bowler known to be Adam Zampa who bowled four overs to figure 4/24. Australia was not yet left behind due to his rate of 6.00 economy.
Australia’s Reply: 146/8 (20 Overs)
Travis Head started with 23 on 13. Cameron Green registered the highest point of 36, with 31 deliveries.
Xavier Bartlett remained not out on 34 out of 25 balls. This is a massive partnership of 34 runs in the ninth wicket in the T20Is in Australia between Adam Zampa and the other partners.
Key Statistics from First T20I
Team Performance Metrics
Pakistan powerplay: 51/2 6overs (run rate 8.50). Australia’s powerplay rating: 51 /2 in six overs (run rate: 8.50).
Death overs Pakistan: 50/5 overs 16-20. Death overs: 38/3 amongst the persons who are aged over 16-20.
Australia offered 3 concessions (2 wides, 1 bye). Concessions are 3 extras (2 wides and one bye), total Pakistani.
Individual Records Created
The 34-run partnership in the 23-run in the T2I ninth wicket was recorded by Xavier Bartlett and Adam Zampa in Australia. The best economic performance in this series opener by Abrar Ahmed was at 2.50 in Pakistan.
Pakistan stopped their losing streak with Australia in T20Is. In September 2019, 2,650 days ago, it was just recently won.
Tactical Analysis: Reason Pakistan Won.
The Three Strategies of Salman Agha
Salman Agha responded at the climax of the game: The World Cup will be spinned around. I can control spin bowling sometimes during my time of powerplay, and this is the reason I have climbed to the top.
The switch in position takes care of the middle-level issues of Pakistan. Agha had an average of 144.44 strike rate at number three.
Condition of spin friendly Gaddafi stadium
The three spinners had a bowling of 11 overs in Pakistan. They only gave out 79 runs and five wickets.
In Australia, the total number of bowled had been 7 overs. Bowling Adam Zampa did it alone; bowled 4 overs and received 4/24.
In the region, there was heavy pitch turnage that was more than 8. This was in favor of the better Pakistani spin assets.
The Australian Dilemma without the Big Men.
Missing Star Players Impact
Australia was without the missing Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Marsh. The squad had three first-time players headed by Travis Head, the players were Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, and Matt Renshaw.
Lack of Glenn Maxwell left no chance of spin-bowling. He was lacking his T20I batting average of 28.5.
A review of the performance of debutants.
The first time Xavier Bartlett scored 34, 2/26. His economy rate in bowling was fair at 6.50.
Mahli Beardman came up with 26 runs on three overs and missed one wicket. Matt Renshaw executed 15 of his 11 ball runs and was run out.
T20 World Cup 2026 Implications
Preparation of World Cup in Pakistan.
The PAK vs AUS T20 World Cup preparation 2026 series tests Pakistan’s spin-heavy strategy. The entire group meeting will be in Sri Lanka.
It is a combination of spin three of Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz with an average of 24.5 economy rate. This is appropriate in case of a slowing down sub continental accent.
Australia’s Squad Concerns
Australia returns to world cup with the full power squad. However, this series exposes them as weak in spin bowling.
Of significance is that they disintegrate in the middle-order between 68/2-112/8. Green and Bartlett were the only spineless people.
Where to Watch Live
Pakistan: A Sports (TV), Pakistani TV Sports, Tapmad (streaming). Australia: Fox sports, Kayo sports.
India: JioCinema (check availability), FanCode. Worldwide: ICC.tv, Willow TV.
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