Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, are set to host Australia in the first T20I of the three-match series on Wednesday, January 28. The match will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the hosts looking to find their best combination ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7.
Australia have brought a squad to get accustomed to subcontinental conditions. Pakistan have dropped senior players such as Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf from the squad. Salman Ali Agha faces a big challenge in bringing together a side that blends experienced players with fresh faces.
This article provides a detailed preview of the PAK vs AUS first T20I, including free live streaming details, pitch and weather reports, head-to-head records, and key statistics.
PAK vs AUS 1st T20I Preview:
Date and Venue: The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the first T20I of the three-match series between Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, and Australia, Mitchell Marsh, on Wednesday, January 28.
PAK vs AUS Squads:
Australia will be without key stars Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, and Tim David. Their absence offers players a golden opportunity to step up and prove their worth in subcontinental conditions ahead of the World Cup.
Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq
Australia Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
PAK vs AUS Probable XIs:
Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
Australia Playing XI: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Mitch Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis.
PAK vs AUS 1st T20I Key Battles
In T20 cricket, one good over or one big wicket can change the result. Here are four key player battles to watch in the first T20I between Pakistan and Australia.
Shaheen Afridi vs Travis Head
This is one of the most exciting contests of the match. Shaheen Afridi is known for taking wickets in the very first over. He bowls with pace and swings the ball back into the batters. The left-arm pacer attacks the stumps with full, fast deliveries.
On the other hand, Travis Head is one of the most dangerous openers in world cricket right now. He attacks from the first ball. If Shaheen makes even a slight error, Head can punish him with boundaries. However, if Shaheen nails his yorker, Head could be dismissed early.
Babar Azam vs Adam Zampa
The middle overs (7 to 15) are crucial in T20s. Babar Azam is Pakistan’s key batter and the anchor of the innings. He prefers to stay at the crease, score steadily, and find gaps rather than take big risks.
Adam Zampa is Australia’s main weapon during this phase. The leg-spinner bowls an effective googly and has troubled Babar in the past. Babar will look to rotate the strike, while Zampa will try to trap him LBW. If Zampa removes Babar early, Pakistan could struggle to post a big total.
Saim Ayub vs Xavier Bartlett
Saim Ayub is known for his aggressive approach and his famous no-look shot. He looks to dominate bowlers during the powerplay and backs his hand speed against all types of bowling.
Xavier Bartlett is an emerging talent for Australia and can swing the new ball both ways. With Mitchell Starc absent, Bartlett carries added responsibility. He will challenge Ayub with outswingers. If Ayub attacks too hard, too early against the moving ball, an edge to the keeper is possible.
Marcus Stoinis vs Naseem Shah
The final overs often decide the match. Marcus Stoinis has the power to clear even the biggest boundaries and is expected to score quick runs at the death.
Naseem Shah bowls with serious pace, often exceeding 145 kph, and is skilled at bowling yorkers. This battle is pure power versus raw speed. If Naseem misses his length slightly, Stoinis can send the ball into the stands. If Naseem hits his spot, Stoinis may find scoring difficult.
PAK vs AUS 1st T20I Key Players:
Pakistan – Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah
Australia – Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins
PAK vs AUS 1st T20I – Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details
TV Broadcast in India: The first T20I between Pakistan and Australia will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network.
Online Live Streaming in India: Fans can watch the match live on the SonyLIV app and website.
Match Date: The first T20I will be played on Wednesday, January 28.
Venue: The match will take place at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Time: The match is scheduled to start at 8:30 PM IST.
How to Watch on Television: The PAK vs AUS first T20I will be shown live on the Sony Sports Network channels.
Online Streaming: Fans can watch the match live on the SonyLIV app and website on mobile devices and web browsers.
PAK vs AUS 1st T20I Weather and Pitch Report – Lahore
PAK vs AUS: Weather Report in Lahore
The weather in Lahore for the first T20I on Wednesday is expected to be cool and hazy. According to AccuWeather, the daytime temperature will reach a high of 17°C, while the nighttime low is expected to drop to 5°C.
During match hours in the evening, temperatures will hover around 12°C and fall closer to 10°C by the end of play. There is no chance of rain, ensuring a full contest without interruptions. However, heavy dew combined with possible fog is expected to play a major role.
PAK vs AUS Pitch Report at Gaddafi Stadium:
The pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is renowned as a batter’s paradise. The venue has favoured teams batting first, with 20 wins while setting a target, compared to 14 wins while chasing in 34 T20s.
It is a high-scoring ground with an average first-innings score of 164. The venue’s highest total is 209/3, posted by England in 2022, while the highest successful run chase is 197/3, achieved by Pakistan against Bangladesh in 2025.
Pacers might find a hint of swing in the opening overs. The most critical factor for this series is the dew. Due to the time of year (January), heavy dew is almost guaranteed, which will make the ball wet and slippery in the second innings.
PAK vs AUS Head-to-Head Records
| Stats | Matches | PAK Won | AUS Won | Draw | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 28 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| In Pakistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 5 T20Is | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
PAK vs AUS Head-to-Head Records: Key Statistics
According to ESPNCricinfo, Pakistan and Australia have played each other 28 times in T20Is. Australia have secured 14 wins compared to Pakistan’s 13 wins, with one match ending in a no result.
In matches played in Pakistan, the two teams have met only once (in Lahore, 2022), where Australia emerged victorious. The Mitchell Marsh-led side will enter the upcoming match as favourites to secure victory.
PAK vs AUS Head-to-Head Records: The Last 5 Matches
Australia have completely dominated recent encounters, winning all of the last five T20Is against Pakistan. The Men in Yellow secured a 3-0 clean sweep over Pakistan at home in November 2024. They also recorded victories in the one-off T20I in Lahore in 2022 and the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2021.
PAK vs AUS Head-to-Head Records – Result of the Last 5 Games:
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Australia won by 7 wickets in Hobart on November 18, 2024
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Australia won by 13 runs in Sydney on November 16, 2024
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Australia won by 29 runs in Brisbane on November 14, 2024
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Australia won by 3 wickets in Lahore on April 5, 2022
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Australia won by 5 wickets in Dubai on November 11, 2021
PAK vs AUS 1st T20I – Conclusion:
The toss will be critical for the first T20I between Pakistan and Australia due to the dew factor in Lahore. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, will be under extra pressure, with key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi needing to deliver.
Australia, on the other hand, boast explosive power hitters and a world-class bowling attack. While Pakistan are always dangerous at home, the absence of key players and recent form give the visitors the edge. However, if Shaheen Afridi rips through the top order early, the Green Shirts can surprise Australia.
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