LAHORE: Pakistan defeated Australia by 22 runs in the first T20 of the 3-match series to take a 0-1 lead in the series.
Pakistan set Australia a target of 169 runs to win the first T20I of the three-match series.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first in the match being played at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan scored 168 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Saim Ayub was outstanding with 40 runs off 22 balls, while captain Salman Ali Agha gave the team a strong start by playing an innings of 39 runs off 27 balls.
Babar Azam was dismissed for 24 runs off 20 balls, and Fakhar Zaman contributed with 10 runs. Mohammad Nawaz remained not out with 15 runs, and Salman Mirza completed the innings by scoring 4 runs off 2 balls.
Adam Zampa took 4 wickets, while Mahli Beardman and Xavier Bartlett took 2 wickets each.
In response to Pakistan’s target of 169 runs, the Australian team scored 146 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs.
Cameron Green scored 36 and Bartlett scored 34 runs for Australia. Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed took 2 wickets each for Pakistan. Shadab Khan and Muhammad Nawaz took one wicket each.
The Green Shirts have taken a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.
