Saim, Agha, Abrar guide Pakistan to clinical win over Australia

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Saim Ayub’s all-round feat and a composed batting display from captain Agha Salman guided Pakistan to a 22-run victory over an understrength Australia in the opening T20 International of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Thursday.
Pakistan posted 168 for eight after opting to bat first, built around a 74-run second-wicket stand between Ayub (40) and Salman (39). The hosts then produced a disciplined bowling effort, led by spinner Abrar Ahmad’s 2 for 10 and Saim’s 2-29, to restrict Australia to 146 for eight.
Ayub struck early in Australia’s chase, when he clean bowled Matthew Short for five with a delivery that kept low. Travis Head threatened briefly with a brisk 23 off 13 balls, including two sixes, before Ayub dismissed him, caught at deep mid-off by Babar Azam.
Australia slipped further when Matt Renshaw was run out for 15, and Abrar clean bowled Cooper Connolly for a duck in the same over, leaving the visitors struggling at 68 for three.
The pressure mounted as Mitchell Owen was run out for eight after a deflection off Mohammad Nawaz’s hand sent the ball into the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Australia were 80 for five in the 11th over.
Cameron Green fought back with a 31-ball 36 but failed to carry the innings through. He went for a big hit off Mohammad Nawaz but was excellently held by Babar Azam, who took a well-judged catch on the boundary. Shadab Khan then removed Jack Edwards for five before Abrar dismissed Josh Philippe to leave Australia at 112 for eight.
Xavier Bartlett hit a pair of late sixes to add some respectability to the total, but Australia never threatened the target.
Xavier smashed two sixes and three fours in his unbeaten 34 which came off 25 balls.
Ayub (2-29) and Abrar (2-10) were the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers.
Earlier, Pakistan made a poor start when Sahibzada Farhan was bowled first ball by Bartlett. Ayub and Salman steadied the innings with nice approach.
Salman, batting at No3 as Pakistan look to settle their combination ahead of next month’s World Cup, timed the ball fluently, while Ayub struck three fours and two sixes in his 22-ball knock.
Australia clawed back through Adam Zampa, who dismissed both set batters in successive overs to leave Pakistan at 86 for three at the halfway stage.
Saim struck two sixes and three fours in his 22-ball 40 while Salman smashed four sixes and one four in his 27-ball fine knock.
Zampa went on to trap Babar Azam lbw for 24 following a successful review, finishing with four for 24.
Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman for 10 before wicketkeeper Usman Khan provided late impetus with an 18-run cameo off 14 balls with two fours. Mohammad Nawaz added an unbeaten 15 to push the total to a competitive 168.
Bartlett claimed two for 26, while Mahli Beardman took two for 33, but Australia’s bowling effort proved insufficient as Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Saim Ayub was adjudged as man of the match for his fine all-round display.
The second game will be held at the same venue on Saturday with the third and final one to follow on Sunday.

Summarised Score
Pakistan 168-8 in 20 overs
(Saim Ayub 40, Agha Salman 39; Adam Zampa 4-24)
Australia 146-8 in 20 overs
(Cameron Green 36; Abrar Ahmad 2-10, Saim Ayub 2-29)
Pakistan won by 22 runs
1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore