Pakistan beat Australia by eight wickets in the first T-20 match of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.

Pakistan took a surprising victory despite giving a low target after choosing to bat first.

Pakistan won the toss and batted first and scored 168 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. However, in pursuit of the target of 169 runs, the Australian team could only score 146 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Pakistan did not start well against Australia as Sahibzada Farhan was out for zero on the very first ball of the match by Xavier Bartlett.

After the loss of one wicket, Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha batted responsibly and played some impressive shots to take the team’s score to 74 runs.

The second out for Pakistan was Saim Ayub, who was out for 40 runs, caught by Jack Edward off Adam Zampa’s bowling, while captain Salman Ali Agha was out for 39 and Babar Azam for 24 runs.

In addition, Usman Khan scored 18, Fakhar Zaman 10, Shadab Khan one, while Shaheen Shah Afridi was out for zero, and Mohammad Nawaz was not out with 15 runs.

For Australia, Adam Zampa took four, Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman took two each.

In the second innings, Pakistan’s surprising bowling turned the match in their favour, with Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed taking two wickets each, and Shadab Khan and Mohammed Nawaz taking one wicket.

Pakistan took eight wickets in 20 overs, securing victory.