Pakistan Spinners Demolish Australia In Historic T20I Series Win

The cricketing world watched in awe as Pakistan delivered a masterclass in both batting and spin bowling, overwhelming Australia by 90 runs in the second Twenty20 International at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on January 31, 2026. This emphatic victory not only secured Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series but also marked their biggest-ever T20I win over Australia, surpassing their previous 66-run triumph in Abu Dhabi back in 2018.

For Pakistan, the evening belonged to skipper Salman Ali Agha, who blazed his way to a career-best 76 runs off just 40 balls. His knock, laced with four towering sixes and eight crisp boundaries, set the tone for a formidable total. Usman Khan added to the fireworks with a fluent 53 off 36 deliveries, ensuring the hosts posted a daunting 198-5—their highest T20I score against Australia to date. The foundation for this total was laid early, as Agha and Saim Ayub stitched together a brisk 55-run partnership for the second wicket, helping Pakistan race to 72 runs in the powerplay. Even after Babar Azam’s early departure for just two, the momentum never waned, with Usman and Agha combining for another rapid 49-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 28 off 20 balls, featuring two sixes and a four, provided the finishing touches, while the fifth-wicket stand between Usman and Shadab yielded 63 runs off just 39 balls. Pakistan’s late surge saw them amass 61 runs in the final five overs, leaving the Australian bowlers searching for answers. Xavier Bartlett and Matthew Kuhnemann, in particular, bore the brunt of the assault, conceding a combined 92 runs in their eight overs, with Bartlett going for 52 in his four and Kuhnemann for 40. Only Adam Zampa, with figures of 1-27, managed to keep things relatively tight, snaring Babar Azam with a sharp delivery that trapped the Pakistani star lbw.

Australia’s reply never really got off the ground. Chasing 199 on a slow, low pitch, the visitors were simply bamboozled by Pakistan’s five-pronged spin attack. Abrar Ahmed, affectionately known as "Harry Potter" for his wizardry with the ball, led the way with 3-14, including the prized scalp of Australian captain Mitchell Marsh, who was trapped lbw for 18 in the third over. Saim Ayub, introduced early into the attack, bowled Travis Head with a delivery that kept low, while Abrar’s wrong ’un accounted for Josh Inglis just moments later.

"It has to be a perfect game," Salman Ali Agha reflected after the match. "We batted well and then were outstanding with the ball. Fielding was outstanding." His satisfaction was evident, and rightly so—this was a performance for the ages. The spinners shared all 10 wickets, with Shadab Khan also grabbing 3-26, and Usman Tariq and Mohammad Nawaz chipping in with crucial breakthroughs. Usman Tariq’s late introduction paid dividends as he removed the dangerous Cameron Green, who top-scored for Australia with a brisk 35 off 20 balls. Green’s knock, featuring two sixes and a four in a single over off Ayub, was the only real resistance in an otherwise faltering Australian chase.

Australia’s batting woes were compounded by the absence of some of their regular stars, but with nine World Cup-bound players in the lineup, expectations were high. Instead, the tourists collapsed to 108 all out in just 15.4 overs, their batsmen unable to string together meaningful partnerships. Only Matt Short, left out of Australia’s World Cup squad, managed to offer some late resistance with 27 off 23 balls. Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw departed cheaply, both falling to Pakistan’s relentless spin barrage.

After the match, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh was candid in his assessment: "Pakistan outplayed us. Hopefully, we can improve and come back tomorrow. They put us under great pressure in batting; it was probably a 160-170 wicket so they scored a big total." Marsh acknowledged the challenges of chasing such a steep target and the importance of building partnerships, something his side failed to do on the night. "We have got experienced guys who know that partnerships are really important in run-chases. We were not able to do that today. So some really good lessons," he added, looking ahead to the final match of the series.

The result was a significant milestone for Pakistan, marking their first T20I series win over Australia since 2018. With the T20 World Cup looming—set to kick off in India and Sri Lanka on February 7, 2026—this victory couldn’t have come at a better time for the hosts. Skipper Agha was quick to emphasize the importance of maintaining momentum: "We want to play in the same way, forget the 2-0 scoreline and come again with the same intensity and go to the World Cup with the same energy." His message was clear: there’s no room for complacency, not with cricket’s biggest T20 prize just around the corner.

For Australia, the defeat served as a stark reminder of the challenges that await them in the subcontinent, particularly against quality spin attacks on slow surfaces. The World Cup opener against Ireland in Colombo is just days away, and Marsh’s men will be desperate to regroup and iron out the kinks before the tournament begins. The absence of key players was felt, but with the bulk of their World Cup squad already in action, the pressure is on to find solutions—and quickly.

Pakistan’s all-round display, from aggressive batting to clinical spin bowling and sharp fielding, sent a strong statement to their rivals. The Gaddafi Stadium crowd reveled in the spectacle, cheering every wicket and boundary as their team dismantled one of world cricket’s powerhouses. The hosts will look to complete a clean sweep in the final match of the series, scheduled for February 1, 2026, again in Lahore.

As the teams prepare for the series finale, Pakistan can savor a historic win while keeping their eyes firmly on the bigger prize ahead. Australia, meanwhile, will be eager to salvage some pride and rediscover their form before the World Cup curtain rises. Cricket fans everywhere will be watching—after all, if this series has shown anything, it’s that anything can happen when these two sides collide.