Pakistan crush Australia by 90 Runs to clinch First T20I Series Win since 2018!

2026-01-31 - 14:26

LAHORE – Pakistan dismantled Australia by a massive 90 runs in the second T20I at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, securing their first series triumph over the visitors in eight years. With the victory, Pakistan sealed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, setting the stage for a celebratory finale on Sunday. Chasing a daunting 199, Australia’s batting line-up crumbled spectacularly, managing just 108 before being bowled out in 15.4 overs. All-rounder Cameron Green fought valiantly with a 20-ball 35, while Matthew Short contributed 27 from 23 deliveries. Beyond them, only captain Mitchell Marsh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (10) reached double figures. Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the attack, led by Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan with three wickets each, backed by Usman Tariq’s two and supporting efforts from Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz. Pakistan’s innings had set the tone for their dominance. Captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first proved decisive as the Green Shirts piled up 198/5. After an early loss of Sahibzada Farhan for five, Agha and Saim Ayub rebuilt Pakistan’s innings with fearless hitting. Their 55-run partnership put Pakistan in control, before Ayub was dismissed for 23 off 11 balls. The drama escalated as star batter Babar Azam fell cheaply for two to Adam Zampa, reducing Pakistan to 76/3 in just 7.1 overs. But Agha refused to let the innings falter, reaching his sixth T20I half-century off only 25 balls and adding 49 runs with Shadab Khan before Sean Abbott finally broke the stand, dismissing Agha for a fiery 76 from 40 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes. Usman Khan then stormed in at number five, smashing a brisk 52 off 35 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. He forged a critical 63-run partnership with Shadab Khan, who scored 28 off 20 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a quick cameo of 10 from four deliveries, helping Pakistan post a near-unassailable total. Australia’s bowlers were left helpless as Bartlett, Kuhnemann, Zampa, Connolly, and Abbott could claim only a single wicket each. The series now firmly in Pakistan’s grasp, the final T20I promises to be a celebration of their sensational cricketing dominance. Pakistan lit up Gaddafi Stadium with an aggressive statement of intent, choosing to bat first after winning the toss against Australia in the second T20 International of the three-match series, with the contest carrying huge significance for both sides. The rivalry between the two cricketing heavyweights remains fiercely contested. Across 29 T20 Internationals, Australia hold a slender advantage with 14 wins, while Pakistan are close behind with 13 victories. Pakistan are chasing back-to-back wins to seal the series and sharpen their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Australia, meanwhile, face growing pressure to respond after recent disappointments, including a morale-denting home series loss to India. PAKvAUS Teams Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq. Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa.