AI Simulation, PAK vs AUS | Pakistan take unassailable 2-0 lead in Lahore as Ayub leads composed chase

Pitch and Weather

Gaddafi Stadium offers a flat and reliable batting surface with good bounce and fast outfield. The new ball comes on nicely during the powerplay, while spinners usually find some control rather than sharp turn in the middle overs. Evening conditions remain favourable for run-scoring, and light dew is expected to appear later in the match. The weather is forecast to be dry and cool, with temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius and no threat of rain.

Toss

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first, keeping in mind the expected dew and the recent success of teams chasing at the venue.

Lineups

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

Australia: Mitch Marsh, Travis Head (c), Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman

Match Report

Opting to bat first, Australia started with positive intent as Travis Head made good use of the hard new ball and drove confidently through the off side. Mitch Marsh supported him with a short burst of boundaries, allowing Australia to reach a healthy powerplay score. The early momentum, however, faded once Pakistan turned to spin.

Shadab Khan struck in his second over to remove Marsh and immediately slowed the scoring rate with a tight line. Abrar Ahmed followed with a disciplined spell that forced both Head and Marcus Stoinis into risky shots. Head still managed to anchor the innings with a brisk 38, but Australia struggled to build any long partnerships once the middle overs began.

Stoinis tried to lift the tempo with a couple of clean hits over midwicket, while Cameron Green and Josh Inglis added useful runs without staying long enough to take control. Pakistan’s bowlers remained consistent at the death, with Shaheen Afridi hitting the blockhole and mixing his pace well. Australia closed on 162 for 8, a competitive total but one that looked slightly short of a strong score on a good batting surface.

Pakistan’s reply did not begin smoothly as Sahibzada Farhan edged behind inside the first three overs. Saim Ayub, however, immediately countered the pressure by attacking the short boundary and rotating strike efficiently. At the other end, Babar Azam settled into his usual anchoring role, focusing on timing and placement rather than power.

The pair added a steady partnership that kept the required rate under control even as Adam Zampa began to create pressure through the middle overs. Ayub brought up a well-paced 46 and was the main aggressor of the stand, while Babar ensured Pakistan avoided any collapse after the early setback.

Zampa eventually broke through, removing both set batters in quick succession and briefly giving Australia hope. Fakhar Zaman then shifted the momentum decisively, striking two boundaries and a six in a short cameo that pushed Pakistan back ahead of the asking rate.

With the equation reduced to a manageable finish, captain Salman Agha and Usman Khan showed composure against the remaining pace options. The pair rotated strike efficiently and avoided unnecessary risks, allowing Pakistan to reach the target with four balls remaining and five wickets in hand.

The result underlined Pakistan’s superior control of the middle phase in both innings and their ability to manage a chase on a surface that rewarded calm decision-making.

Player of the Match

Saim Ayub was named Player of the Match for setting up the chase with a fluent and controlled 46 at the top of the order.