Pakistan defeated Australia by 22 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series to take a 1–0 lead. In the match played at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan scored 168 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Saim Ayub was the standout batter with 40 runs. In reply, Australia could only manage 146 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs.
Pakistan did not get off to a good start against Australia, as Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck on the very first ball of the match. After the early wicket, Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha played responsibly. However, at a total score of 74, Saim Ayub was out after scoring 40 runs. Later, Salman Ali Agha scored 39, Babar Azam 24, Fakhar Zaman 10, Usman Khan 18, while Shadab Khan, another batter, and Shaheen were dismissed for zero. Mohammad Nawaz remained not out with 15 runs. Pakistan thus posted 168 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. For Australia, Adam Zampa took 4 wickets for 24 runs, while Bartlett and Beardman claimed two wickets each. Chasing a target of 169 runs, Australia failed to bat freely and finished on 146 for 8 in 20 overs. Cameron Green scored 36 runs and Bartlett added 34 for Australia. For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed got two wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz claimed one wicket apiece.
