Pakistan vs Australia 1st T20 Highlights: Pakistan beat Australia by 22 runs

Pakistan vs Australia 1st T20 Live Cricket Score: All-rounder Saim Ayub starred in Pakistan's spin-assisted 22-run win over Australia in the first Twenty20 international in Lahore on Thursday.
Ayub top-scored in Pakistan's 168-8 with a 22-ball 40 that included two sixes and three fours, while Salman Agha added four sixes and a four in his 27-ball 39.

The tourists managed 146-8 in their 20 overs with spinners taking six wickets for Pakistan.

With the ball, Ayub dismissed Australian openers Matthew Short (five) and Travis Head, who hit two sixes and two fours in his 13-ball 23.

Cameroon Green resisted with a 31-ball 36 but Australia succumbed to spin with Abrar Ahmed taking 2-10 while Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan took a wicket apiece.

Both teams were tuning up for the Twenty20 World Cup starting in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.

15:41 (IST) Jan 29

Pakistan vs Australia Live Score: Three T20I debuts for Australia

Australia have opted to field three debutants in the series opener against Pakistan, handing maiden T20I caps to Mahli Beardman, Jack Edwards and Matthew Renshaw.

The move underlines Australia’s approach to the series, using it to assess future options rather than deploying their full-strength World Cup combination.

Renshaw, who has already played Tests and ODIs for Australia, is set to bat at number four following a productive Big Bash League 2025–26 season with Brisbane Heat. Edwards arrives after a strong BBL campaign with Sydney Sixers, where his 19 wickets were the second-most in the tournament. Fast bowler Beardman, 20, continues his rise after being part of Australia’s Under-19 World Cup-winning side and picking up 13 wickets in 11 matches for Perth Scorchers.

Notably, none of the three debutants are part of Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

15:39 (IST) Jan 29

PAK vs AUS Live Score: Hello & welcome

Welcome to TOI’s live coverage of the first Pakistan vs Australia T20I set to be playet at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The three-match series begins on Thursday and doubles up as a key preparatory assignment ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, which starts on February 7.

Australia have named three debutants for the opener, while Pakistan arrive with their full World Cup squad available.

With matches scheduled on January 29, January 31 and February 1, all at the same venue, both teams have limited time to experiment and settle combinations.

Australia, coming off a long Big Bash League season, have taken a selective approach, resting some senior players and testing new options. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to fine-tune their balance after recent changes and absences. Stay with us for toss updates, team news and live action.

Travis Head captained Australia in the first T20I against Pakistan, with regular skipper Mitchell Marsh rested after arriving in the country less than 48 hours before the match. This will be Head’s second outing as Australia’s T20I captain, having previously led the side in England in 2024.

Australia’s selectors have chosen not to treat the Pakistan series as a full-scale World Cup rehearsal, largely due to scheduling challenges following the Big Bash League. Several senior players, including Marsh and Josh Inglis, were involved until the final day of the BBL and only departed Perth earlier this week.

Australia are also without Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis, all of whom are set to join the World Cup squad in Sri Lanka.

As a result, Head’s leadership and the performances of players like Cameron Green will be closely watched.