LAHORE: Saim Ayub produced a match-winning all-round performance as Pakistan began their T20I series against Australia with an impressive 22-run victory at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 169, Australia struggled throughout their innings and could only manage 146 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Travis Head provided an aggressive start, helping Australia race to 21 in just 1.5 overs, but Saim Ayub turned the game around with his timely breakthroughs.

The off-spinner first dismissed Matthew Short for five before removing the dangerous Travis Head, who had smashed two sixes and two fours in his 23 off 13 balls. Australia were suddenly on the back foot, losing two wickets for 28 inside the first four overs.

Despite losing early wickets, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green stitched together a quick 40-run partnership, taking Australia to 57 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. However, just as the visitors began to settle, a run-out ended the stand, with Renshaw departing for 15 off 11 deliveries.

Pakistan tightened their grip as Abrar Ahmed bowled Cooper Connolly for a duck, reducing Australia to 68 for 4. Another run out further dented the chase, leaving the visitors reeling at 96 for 6 in 12.2 overs.

Cameron Green top-scored for Australia with 36 off 31 balls, including three fours and a six, while Josh Philippe and Mitchell Owen made brief contributions before falling cheaply. The lower order failed to mount a serious fightback, with Xavier Bartlett being the lone bright spot. Bartlett struck 34 off 25 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours, to slightly reduce the margin of defeat.

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed shared four wickets between them, while Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan chipped in with one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 168 for 8 after opting to bat first. The hosts suffered an early blow as opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball. Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Ali Agha then steadied the innings with a fluent 74-run partnership, guiding Pakistan to 56 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.

Both batters continued to score freely after the fielding restrictions, but Australia struck back through Adam Zampa. The leg-spinner removed both set batters in quick succession, shifting the momentum in Australia’s favour. Saim scored 40 off 22 balls, including two sixes and three fours, while Salman contributed 39 off 27, featuring four sixes and a boundary.

Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman attempted to rebuild, but Zampa struck again to dismiss Babar for 24 off 20 balls. Pakistan were 123 for 4 in 13.5 overs and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Fakhar struggled for 10 off 16 balls, while wicketkeeper Usman Khan made 18 off 14 before falling.

Pakistan eventually finished on 168 for 8, with Mohammad Nawaz remaining unbeaten on 15 off 14 balls. Adam Zampa was the standout bowler for Australia, picking up four wickets despite Pakistan defending the total successfully.