Pakistan beat Australia in T20Is after seven years:Saim, Abrar help Green Shirts win series opener before T20 World Cup

Pakistan have defeated Australia by 22 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series in Lahore on 29 October. This was Pakistan's first victory over Australia in a T20I after seven years (2,650 days) to be exact. The last time Pakistan had defeated Australia in a T20I match was way back on 25 October in 2018. With this victory, Pakistan attained a 1-0 lead in the series. Chasing 169 to win, Australia's batting struggled as they were restricted to 146/8. The second T20I will be played at the same venue on 31 January. Saim Ayub guides Pakistan to fighting score Saim Ayub guided Pakistan to a fighting score. The left-hander smashed 40 runs off just 22 balls with three fours and two sixes to his name. Captain Salman Ali Agha also contributed with 39 runs while Babar Azam managed 24. Australia, who were without captain Mitchell Marsh, saw Adam Zampa emerge as the best bowler, with four wickets for 24 runs. Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman bagged two wickets each. Also read: Pakistan government fears financial loss, hostility amid T20 WC row: Tickets for cricket team booked, Mohsin Naqvi advised to avoid any withdrawal- report Bowlers guide Pakistan to victory For Pakistan, it were the bowlers who guided the team to a victory. Travis Head, who was Australia's captain in the match, scored 23 runs off 13 balls. Australia's highest scorer was Cameron Green, with 36 runs off 31 balls. Ayub chipped in with the ball as well, scalping two wickets for 29 runs while Abrar Ahmed was exceptional as well. The leg-spinner took two wickets while conceding just 10 runs off his four overs. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket each.