Pakistan crush Australia to seal T20I series after seven-year gap

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan secured their first T20 International series victory over Australia in seven years with a commanding 90-run win in the second match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series.

After setting Australia a challenging target of 199, Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a ruthless performance, skittling the visitors out for 108 in 15.4 overs to wrap up the contest emphatically. The third and final match of the series is scheduled at the same venue on Sunday.

SERIES CLINCHED

Pakistan register their biggest T20I win over Australia #PAKvAUS | #MateWeAreReady | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/osfmkpMiVn

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 31, 2026

The home side laid the platform with an aggressive batting display, led by captain Salman Ali Agha and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, both of whom struck fluent half-centuries to put Australia under sustained pressure.

Having won the toss, Agha opted to bat first, a decision that paid dividends despite an early setback. Pakistan lost opener Sahibzada Farhan for five in the second over with 17 runs on the board, but the momentum quickly shifted in the hosts’ favour.

Agha and Saim Ayub counter-attacked with intent, racing through the powerplay. Ayub scored a brisk 23 off 11 balls, including four boundaries, before falling to Cooper Connolly on the final delivery of the fielding restrictions. Pakistan reached 72 for two after six overs, underlining their dominance at the top.

Australia struck again when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for two, reducing Pakistan to 76 for three in the eighth over. However, the breakthrough failed to slow Agha, who continued to dictate terms through the middle overs.

The Pakistan captain brought up his sixth T20I half-century from just 25 deliveries during a vital 49-run partnership with Shadab Khan, restoring stability after the twin setbacks. Agha eventually departed in the 13th over, dismissed by Sean Abbott for a commanding 76 off 40 balls, an innings that featured eight fours and four sixes.

Usman Khan ensured Pakistan finished strongly, producing a composed yet aggressive knock of 52 from 35 deliveries. Batting at number five, he shared a crucial 63-run stand with Shadab, who contributed 28 off 20 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz added late impetus with 10 off four deliveries. Pakistan closed their innings on 198 for five.

Chasing 199, Australia never found momentum. Regular wickets and disciplined bowling pegged the visitors back from the outset, with only Cameron Green offering brief resistance.

The all-rounder top-scored with 35 from 20 balls, followed by Matthew Short’s 27 off 23 deliveries. Captain Mitchell Marsh made 18, while Xavier Bartlett was the only other batter to reach double figures with 10.

Pakistan’s spinners led the rout, with Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claiming three wickets each. Usman Tariq picked up two, while Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz took one apiece to complete a comprehensive bowling effort.

For Australia, the wickets in Pakistan’s innings were shared among Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott, but the bowling performance proved insufficient in the face of Pakistan’s all-round dominance.

Pakistan squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq

Australia squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Josh Inglis, Josh Philippe, Mahli Beardman, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Short, Matthew Kuhnemann, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Owen, Sean Abbott, Travis Head and Xavier Bartlett