Pakistan’s Decisive T20I Series Win Over Australia Raises Stakes for World Cup Prep

LAHORE (Azat TV) – Pakistan delivered a commanding performance against Australia in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) at Gaddafi Stadium on January 31, 2026, securing a resounding 90-run victory and sealing the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead. The decisive win, characterized by exceptional batting and a historic bowling effort from Pakistan’s spinners, has intensified discussions around Australia’s squad composition and its implications for their T20 World Cup preparations, especially given the absence of several key players.

Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss, posted a formidable total of 198 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Salman Ali Agha led from the front, smashing 76 runs off just 40 deliveries, an innings that included eight fours and four sixes. He was ably supported by Usman Khan, who contributed a crucial 53 runs off 36 balls. The duo’s partnership, particularly Agha’s aggressive start in the powerplay, laid a strong foundation for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Spinners Make History in Lahore

In response, Australia’s chase of 199 runs quickly faltered against a relentless Pakistani spin attack. The visitors were bundled out for just 108 runs in 15.4 overs, marking a dominant display by the home side. Remarkably, all ten Australian wickets were claimed by Pakistan’s spinners, a first in the nation’s T20I history. Abrar Ahmed picked up three wickets, while Shadab Khan and Usman Tariq each contributed with two wickets. Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub also chipped in with a wicket apiece, dismantling the Australian batting lineup.

Australia’s innings saw early departures for openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, with Josh Inglis also falling cheaply. Cameron Green was the top scorer for Australia with 35 runs, attempting to stabilize the innings amidst the collapse, but found little support from his teammates. The Australian batters struggled to decipher the varied spin, often losing wickets attempting aggressive shots against the turning ball.

Australia’s Squad Selection Under Scrutiny

The series has drawn significant attention due to Australia’s squad selection, which has been described by some former Pakistan cricketers and experts as a ‘formality’ tour. The Australian squad featured three uncapped players and notably rested several prominent stars such as Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, and Nathan Ellis. Even available players like captain Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Scott Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis were not all featured in the opening match.

Adding to Australia’s challenges, star pacer Pat Cummins has been officially ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup due to injury, a decision he made after sealing the Ashes series win in the third Test earlier this year. This absence, coupled with the current squad’s performance, has led to questions about Australia’s depth and preparedness for major ICC tournaments.

Babar Azam’s Role and Shadab Khan’s Return

For Pakistan, the series has offered valuable insights into their own T20 World Cup prospects. Concerns had been raised about former captain Babar Azam’s strike rate, particularly after a modest Big Bash League (BBL) season where he scored 202 runs across 11 innings at a strike rate of 103.06, the lowest for any player scoring over 200 runs in a BBL season. Aaqib Javed, at the Pakistan squad announcement for the T20 World Cup, indicated that Babar Azam would not be opening for the team and would instead play a middle-order anchor role, a strategy that has sparked debate among cricket analysts.

Conversely, the performance of all-rounder Shadab Khan has been a positive note for Pakistan. After returning from surgery, Shadab expressed satisfaction with his recovery and form, stating, “The recovery is going really well. Coming back after surgery is never easy, but thankfully the comeback has been quite good. I’ll try to carry the momentum into my bowling as well.” He highlighted the crucial roles he and Mohammad Nawaz play in the team, emphasizing the need for high confidence levels for ICC tournaments.

Pakistan’s dominant series victory, especially the historic performance of its spin bowlers, provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, for Australia, the series outcome against a backdrop of a largely experimental squad and key player absences due to injury or rest, clearly signals areas of concern and necessitates a critical review of their T20 World Cup strategy and player availability.