A cobbled together Australian XI suffered a 22 run defeat in their opening Twenty20 international against Pakistan in Lahore, despite a strong bowling effort from Adam Zampa.
With three debutants included and several senior players rested ahead of the World Cup, Australia relied heavily on their leading Twenty20 wicket taker. Zampa returned figures of four for 24 at the Gaddafi Stadium, playing the central role in limiting Pakistan to eight for 168 in the first match of the three game series.
Australia’s reply never gathered momentum. Acting captain Travis Head made 23 in a brief opening cameo before Cameron Green was dismissed for 36. From there the chase faltered and Australia closed on eight for 146.
Xavier Bartlett followed his earlier bowling figures of two for 26 with an unbeaten 34 from 25 balls, though the result was already beyond reach as Pakistan’s four spinners controlled the middle overs.
The defeat ended Pakistan’s seven match losing run against Australia in Twenty20 internationals and delivered their first win over them in the format for seven years.
Australia were without Mitch Marsh, who was rested, along with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Nathan Ellis, all managed ahead of the World Cup.
Among the debutants, Matt Renshaw looked settled before a run out for 15 following a mix up with Green. Jack Edwards conceded 25 from two overs without taking a wicket and made five with the bat.
There was encouragement for 20 year old fast bowler Mahli Beardman. After conceding a six from his first ball in senior international cricket and 13 runs in his opening over, he recovered to take two wickets in successive deliveries at the death. His attempted hat trick was denied by a no ball that was edged through the vacant slip region.
“There are definitely positives, but also things to work on,” Head said. “We have two more opportunities before we head to Sri Lanka for the World Cup, and we want to continue playing as well as we can.
“Even though the result didn’t go our way today, there are things we did well and areas we can improve.”
After losing the toss and being sent in to field, Australia struck immediately when Bartlett removed Sahibzada Farhan with a caught and bowled from the first delivery.
Pakistan rebuilt through Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha, who added 73 for the second wicket. Zampa halted the stand by dismissing both batters in quick succession, each caught in the deep. He then trapped Babar Azam lbw for 24 after a review and completed his spell by removing Usman Khan at long on, accounting for Pakistan’s four highest scorers.
Ayub, named player of the match, also troubled Australia with the ball. He dismissed Matt Short for five and later induced Head to miscue a catch in the deep, one of three taken by Babar.
The decisive passage came when Abrar Ahmed entered the attack. His opening over featured the run out between Renshaw and Green, followed by the dismissal of Cooper Connolly for a second ball duck. Abrar finished with 2-10 from four overs, later removing Josh Philippe for 12.
Mitch Owen was run out at the non striker’s end when Mohammad Nawaz deflected a drive from Green on to the stumps, closing a difficult night for Australia’s reshaped side.
