Tag: PAK vs AUS

SYDNEY: Cricket Australia (CA) have announced a fresh-looking squad for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, handing maiden international call-ups to teenage batting prodigy Oliver Peake and emerging all-rounder Liam Scott.

Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan for a three-match ODI series beginning on May 30, but several senior stars have been rested ahead of the home Test series against Bangladesh later this year.

Regular captain Pat Cummins, along with premier fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, were among the notable absentees from the squad.

The selectors instead opted for a youthful combination featuring a blend of emerging talent and returning players as Australia continue to build depth in white-ball cricket.

Fast bowler Billy Stanlake earned his first national call-up since 2019 after overcoming a lengthy injury struggle, while pacer Riley Meredith returned to the ODI set-up for the first time since 2024.

Meanwhile, players involved in the latter stages of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) will miss the Pakistan series before joining the squad in Bangladesh following the tournament’s conclusion. Those players include Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis.

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National selection chairman George Bailey said the subcontinent tours would provide an important learning opportunity for the next generation of Australian cricketers.

“It’s always exciting to see new players get an opportunity to play international cricket and be a part of the national team,” Bailey said.

“The blend of experienced players coupled with new or returning players will provide a nice mix for these subcontinent tours.

“Continuing to provide opportunities for players to develop across a broad range of conditions and experiences is important and will continue to be a focus over the next 18 months to two years.”

The ODI series will begin at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30 before the remaining two matches are played at Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and June 4.

Australia ODI squad for Pakistan series

Mitchell Marsh (captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa.

WATCH: Babar Azam returns to the nets after injury blow

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly finalised a tentative schedule for the upcoming home ODI series against Australia, with all three matches likely to be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium, sources revealed on Thursday.

According to the proposed plan, the series is expected to begin on May 31, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for June 2 and June 4, respectively.

The official confirmation from the PCB is still awaited, with the final itinerary expected to be announced in due course.

If confirmed, the series will mark Australia’s return to Pakistan for a 50-over assignment for the first time since 2022. On that occasion, the home side secured a memorable 2–1 victory in a closely contested three-match series.

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Historically, Australia have maintained the upper hand in ODI cricket between the two sides, leading Pakistan 71-36 in 111 encounters, with four matches ending without a result.

Following the Pakistan tour, Australia are also scheduled to travel to Bangladesh for a full white-ball series in June 2026, marking the end of a long gap between bilateral ODI engagements in the country.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s international calendar remains packed as they prepare for a key red-ball assignment in Bangladesh ahead of the home series against Australia.

They will feature in a two-match Test series in Bangladesh as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.

Tentative schedule for Pakistan vs Australia

May 31: 1st ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

June 02: 2nd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

June 04: 3rd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

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LAHORE: Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam on Sunday broke another record held by India’s Virat Kohli, becoming the leading half-century maker in the men’s T20Is.

The 31-year-old reached the landmark feat during Pakistan’s third T20I against Australia, scoring 50* from 36 balls with the aid of three fours and a six.

The knock marked Babar’s 39th half-century in T20Is, taking him past Kohli, who brought down curtains on his decorated limited-overs career in 2024 after scoring 38 fifties.

Most half-centuries in men’s T20Is

39* – Babar Azam Pakistan (132 innings)
38 – Virat Kohli India (117 innings)
32 – Rohit Sharma India (151 innings)
30 – Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan (93 innings)
28 – David Warner (110 innings)
28 – Jos Buttler (132 innings)

For those unaware, Babar is also the top run-scorer in men’s T20Is, accumulating 4505 runs in 132 innings, with an average of 39.51 and a strike rate of 128.38. Additionally, he has scored three centuries in this format.

With the help of his half-century, Pakistan posted a daunting total of 207 in 20 overs against Australia.

In reply, Australia were bowled out for just 96 in 16.5 overs. The visitors lost the fixture by 111 runs, their biggest margin of defeat in T20I cricket.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz picked up five wicket haul in his quota of four overs while giving away 19. Shaheen Shah Afridi also took two wickets.

With this win, Pakistan also completed 3-0 whitewash over them, a timely confidence booster ahead of T20 World Cup 2026.

READ: India defeat Pakistan to reach U19 World Cup semi-final

LAHORE: Pakistan on Sunday crushed Australia by a hefty margin of 111 runs in the third and final T20I as Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Nawaz starred to give the home side a timely confidence booster ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a daunting 208, Australia were skittled for 96 in 16.5 overs, with the last batter, Adam Zampa, not coming out to bat.

The home side inflicted a miserable start on Australia as Shaheen Afridi knocked over Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh on the fourth ball of the over.

This set the tone as the Australian batting order could not deliver, with Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw getting dismissed in a cheap manner.

As a result, Australia were reduced to 16-3 in 2.5 overs with Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis at the crease.

The pair arrested the slide with a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket, propelling the score to 60 in 9.1 overs.

Mohammad Nawaz broke the threatening stand, cleaning up Stoinis. The all-rounder made 23 from 22 with the help of three fours.

Following the wicket, the Australian innings quickly unfolded with Nawaz tormented through the visitors’ batting order.

The whole side was eventually bowled out, leading to their largest defeat margin in T20Is.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz picked up five wicket haul in his quota of four overs while giving away 19. Shaheen Shah Afridi also took two wickets.

Earlier, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam’s gutsy half-centuries and a quick-fire knock from Shadab Khan propelled Pakistan to a big total

Opting to bat first, Pakistan racked up 207-6 at the end of their 20 overs.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first proved decisive as the hosts recovered from an early setback to post their highest total of the series in the Pakistan vs Australia T20I clash.

The Green Shirts made a stuttering start when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 10 in the second over, with just 14 runs on the board.

The early wicket brought Agha to the crease at number three, but the skipper failed to repeat his earlier heroics, falling for a three-ball five to Ben Dwarshuis, leaving Pakistan struggling at 34 for 2 in 3.4 overs.

The innings steadied when experienced campaigner Babar Azam joined Saim Ayub, and the pair shifted momentum with a brisk 69-run partnership for the third wicket. Ayub was the aggressor, finding the gaps with ease before being dismissed on the first ball of the 12th over.

Ayub top-scored with a polished 56 off 37 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, before holing out to a spectacular catch by Matthew Renshaw in the deep off Matthew Kuhnemann.

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Babar then combined briefly with Khawaja Nafay, adding 28 runs for the fourth wicket. Nafay impressed with a quick 21 off 12 balls, hitting two sixes and a boundary before departing.

With Pakistan well placed at 131 for 4 after 14 overs, all-rounder Shadab Khan provided late impetus, smashing a rapid 46 off just 19 deliveries, including five sixes among seven boundaries.

Shadab also shared a vital 57-run stand with Babar, who anchored the innings and remained unbeaten on 50 from 36 balls, featuring three fours and a six.

For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the most effective bowler, finishing with 2 for 39, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, and Matthew Short claimed one wicket each.

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LAHORE: Pakistan have won the toss and decided to bat first in the third T20I against Australia here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and Australia have played 29 T20I matches, with both teams winning the same number of the matches.

Matches 30, Pakistan 14, Australia 14, NR 1

Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, while Australia will feature in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shahen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe (wk), Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa

READ: Cameron Green makes ‘chucking’ gesture after Usman Tariq dismissal

LAHORE: Pakistan produced a ruthless all-round performance to outclass Australia in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, sealing the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Defending a competitive 198-5, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by a dominant spin effort, dismantled Australia for just 108 in 15.4 overs, handing the visitors a crushing 90-run defeat.

Cameron Green top-scored for Australia with a 20-ball 35, followed by Matthew Short, who made 27 off 23 deliveries.

Other than them, only skipper Mitchell Marsh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (10) managed to reach double figures.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claimed three wickets each, while Usman Tariq bagged two.

Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz also contributed with one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha made the most of winning the toss and opting to bat first, as the hosts posted a commanding total on the back of his aggressive knock and a late surge from wicketkeeper Usman Khan.

Pakistan had a shaky start, losing Sahibzada Farhan for 5 in the second over with only 17 on the board. However, Agha quickly took control alongside Saim Ayub, and the pair ensured the innings did not lose momentum in the powerplay.

Agha dominated the stand, while Ayub played a brisk cameo before falling on the penultimate ball of the powerplay. The left-hander struck 23 off 11 balls, hitting four boundaries, before being dismissed by Cooper Connolly.

Pakistan then suffered another setback when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for 2, briefly putting pressure on the hosts at 76/3 in 7.1 overs.

But Agha continued his counter-attack and shifted the momentum decisively with a rapid partnership with Shadab Khan.

The Pakistan skipper brought up his sixth T20I fifty in just 25 balls, eventually top-scoring with a blazing 76 off 40 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes.

Australia finally got relief when Sean Abbott removed Agha in the 13th over, ending a threatening 49-run stand.

At the back end, Usman Khan ensured Pakistan finished strongly, registering his second T20I half-century with a composed yet fluent 52 off 35 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

He also stitched a crucial 63-run partnership with Shadab, who contributed 28 off 20 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a quick 10 off 4 to push Pakistan to 198.

For Australia, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott picked up a wicket each.

In reply, Australia never looked settled as Pakistan’s bowlers struck regularly and kept the scoring under control, eventually bundling the visitors out for 108 to wrap up the series with a match to spare.

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LAHORE: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first in the second T20I against Australia here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Playing XIs

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HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and Australia have played a total of 29 T20I matches, with both teams winning 14 games each, while one match ended without a result.

Matches 28, Pakistan 13, Australia 14, NR 1

Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, while Australia will feature in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.

Pakistan kicked off the three-match T20I series with a 22-run victory in the opening match, with Saim Ayub stealing the limelight with his all-round performance.

The left-handed batter scored a quick 40 off 22 before returning to take two key wickets of Matthew Short and Travis Head.

READ: PCB postpones Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 jersey launch: sources

Lahore: Pakistan’s right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr has been released from the squad for the remaining matches of the three-game T20I series against Australia.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement, the pacer will not be part of the remaining fixtures.

“Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr has been released from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the remaining two matches of the series against Australia,” the statement read.

Wasim, 24, is also not part of the Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on 7 February in India and Sri Lanka.

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The pacer was part of the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka, where he picked up five wickets in two matches at an average of 12.20. Moreover, the pacer did not feature in the playing XI for the T20I series opener against Australia, which the Green Shirts won by 22 runs.

Pakistan updated T20I squad

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

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LAHORE: Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha has shared the strategic reason for replacing Babar Azam at the No. 3 spot in the batting order ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Agha took the No. 3 position from Babar Azam during the Sri Lanka series and played a blinder during the rain-hit third T20I.

The right-hander was on the verge of breaking Pakistan’s fastest fifty record, scoring 45 off just 12 balls, including three sixes and five fours.

In the first T20I against Australia played today at the Gaddafi Stadium, Salman also came to the fore when the home side lost Sahibzada Farhan for a duck on only the second ball of the innings.

The 32-year-old hit 39 from 27 deliveries, striking four sixes and a boundary.

Overall, Salman has batted at the this position in seven matches, accumulating 216 runs at a strike rate of 161.19 — a stark contrast to his overall T20 career strike rate which is 118.32.

After sealing a 22 run win over Australia in the first of three T20I matches, Agha emphasized batting and clinical bowling performance.

“It was a great game. We started well with the bat but couldn’t finish the way we wanted. It became challenging after the first ten overs as the ball stopped coming onto the bat, but I think we were outstanding with the ball,” he said.

The skipper said that he will be permanently taking up the one down position in a bid to capitalize on spin bowling with an eye on Sri Lanka conditions in T20 World Cup 2026.

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“Yes, I’ll be batting at number three. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the powerplay. That’s why I moved up, and that is where I’ll stay,” he maintained.

Pakistan were once on course of scoring 200; however Australia curtailed their innings to 168 at the end of 20 overs.

“To be honest, I felt 170 was enough. Given how we were placed after ten overs, we probably could have scored 15 more, but I knew 170 would be plenty on this pitch because our spin bowling is outstanding,” Agha said regarding the team’s total.

Salman Ali Agha also lavished praised on spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed and expressed confidence ahead of the mega event.

“Abrar has been outstanding since his debut. Since the Asia Cup, our spin bowling has been doing really well for us; they are winning us games day in and day out. Hopefully, they can continue this form through to the World Cup,” he concluded.

READ: Saim Ayub reveals game-plan after Australia victory

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub explained his approach after delivering a match-winning performance against Australia in the T20I series opener played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Set stiff 169, Australia fell short by 22 runs and could only muster 146-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Saim delivered with bat and ball to seal a convincing win for the home side.

The 23-year-old scored 40 runs from 22 balls with the aid of a boundary at top of the order.

He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets while giving away only 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and dangerous Travis Head.

The left-hander was looking good before getting caught after managing 23 from 13 balls with the help of two sixes and two fours.

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He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets for just 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and Travis Head.

Speaking in the post-match presentation after receiving the player of the match award, Saim mentioned difficult conditions and revealed his plan in the opening over of Australian innings.

“I think the conditions were a bit challenging, but our plan was to dominate with the new ball as much as possible,” he said.

He furhter remarked on Pakistan’s strategy to keep the batters in check by bowling with precise lengths.

“The goal was to dominate sensibly by calculating the innings, watching the ball, and enjoying the process,” he added.

We knew that if we hit a good length consistently, it wouldn’t be easy for the batters to score. That was the strategy,” Saim Ayub concluded.

The second T20I will be played on 31 January at the same venue.

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