T20I series: Saim Ayub shines as Pakistan thrash Australia by 22 runs

Lahore: Pakistan opener Saim Ayub’s all-round performance helped Green Shirts secure a 22-run victory over Australia in the first T20I of a three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Ayub backed his blazing 40-run knock with two wickets to help the Green Shirts to defend a modest total 168.

Set to chase 169, Australia's batting unit faltered and could accumulate 146/8 in 20 overs.

Earlier, Pakistan had set a target of 169 runs for Australia in the first T20I of the three-match series being played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first against Australia in the match.

Pakistan and Australia have met 28 times in T20 Internationals. Australia have won 14 matches, Pakistan 12, with one match ending in a tie and another producing no result.

Pakistan's playing XI for the series opener ??

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Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed.

Australia: Travis Head (c), Matt Short, Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman and Adam Zampa.