Pakistan annihilate Australia to seal T20I series: Pakistan sealed a dominant 2-0 series lead against Australia with a commanding 90-run victory in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, delivering one of their most emphatic performances in the format on Saturday night.
After opting to bat first, Pakistan piled up a formidable 198 for five — their highest-ever T20I total against Australia — powered by a superb captain’s knock from Salman Ali Agha and a fluent half-century from Usman Khan.
Salman led from the front with a blistering 76 off just 40 deliveries, striking eight fours and four sixes in what was his highest T20I score to date. He found strong support in Usman, who compiled a composed 53 from 36 balls, while Shadab Khan provided late impetus with an unbeaten 28.
Pakistan made a rapid start despite losing Sahibzada Farhan early, as Saim Ayub and Salman attacked relentlessly during the Powerplay. The duo added 55 runs in just 25 balls, helping Pakistan race to 72 runs inside the first six overs — their joint third-highest Powerplay total in T20Is.
Australia briefly pulled things back with quick wickets of Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, reducing Pakistan to 76 for three. However, Salman continued to dominate, reaching his half-century off only 25 balls — the second-fastest fifty by a Pakistan T20I captain. His partnership of 49 runs with Usman steadied the innings before Shadab and Usman combined for a crucial 63-run stand to push the total close to 200.
In response, Australia never found momentum as Pakistan’s spin attack produced a ruthless display, claiming all 10 wickets for just 108 runs in 15.4 overs — Pakistan’s biggest T20I win over Australia by margin of runs.
Abrar Ahmed struck early to remove Mitchell Marsh, while Saim Ayub dismissed Travis Head for the second game in a row. From there, Australia collapsed under sustained spin pressure, slipping to 54 for five inside eight overs. Abrar, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz ran through the middle order, leaving the visitors with no route back.
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Cameron Green top-scored with a brisk 35 off 20 balls, while Matthew Short’s 27 was one of only four Australian scores in double figures. Australia lost four wickets for just 10 runs late in the innings, eventually folding with more than four overs unused.
Abrar Ahmed followed up his impressive first T20I spell with figures of 3 for 14, while Shadab returned 3 for 26. Usman Tariq chipped in with two wickets, and Nawaz and Saim picked up one apiece, completing a collective bowling effort.
With this victory, Pakistan not only clinched the series with one match still to play but also continued their strong run at home, having now won three bilateral T20I series and a tri-series since May 2025.
Salman Ali Agha was named Player of the Match for his match-defining innings and inspirational leadership.
