Final result
Pakistan Cricket won by 90 runs
Player of the match: Agha Salman
Result · T20 Internationals
Pakistan Cricket vs Australia
Result · T20 Internationals
Venue par · 208Chase success · 42%POTM · Agha Salman
Match preview & overview
Pakistan demolish Australia by 90 runs in Lahore T20I
Pakistan beat Australia by 90 runs in the T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 31 January 2026. Pakistan won the toss, chose to bat, and posted 198/5. Australia were never in contention, losing 3 wickets in the powerplay and eventually dismissed for 108. Agha Salman took the Player of the Match award. The result was Pakistan's second heavy win over Australia at the same venue in 2026, following a 111-run victory earlier in the year.
The margin tells most of the story, but the phase-by-phase breakdown confirms just how complete a performance this was. Pakistan's powerplay produced 72 runs for 2 wickets, comfortably above the ground's average of 46. The middle overs added another 67, and the death overs contributed 59 more. Australia's chase fell apart in the middle phase, where 6 wickets tumbled for 57 runs between overs 7 and 15, leaving nothing for the tail to work with.
This is now the third successive fixture between these sides at Gaddafi Stadium in 2026. Pakistan have won both decisively. Australia had won three straight T20Is against Pakistan in 2024, all on Australian soil. The venue clearly matters.
Pitch report & venue insights
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore — 145-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2003–2026. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
145
T20 matches hosted
208
Avg 1st-innings score
177
Avg 2nd-innings score
42%
Chase success rate
49
Avg powerplay runs
51%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Pakistan's powerplay set the match up early
Pakistan raced to 72 runs for 2 wickets in the powerplay, well above the Gaddafi Stadium average of 46. That platform gave the middle order room to build, and the innings closed at 198/5. Australia's powerplay, by contrast, yielded only 48 runs and cost them 3 wickets.
Angle 02
Australia's middle overs collapse ended the chase
Angle 03
Agha Salman named Player of the Match
Angle 04
Gaddafi Stadium's chasing record told the story
Angle 05
Pakistan's second straight win in this series
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- With Pakistan's powerplay averaging 72 runs in this match against a venue norm of 46, top-batter and powerplay run markets may reflect broader value than outright result lines.
- Australia's middle-overs collapse (6 wickets for 57 runs between overs 7 and 15) suggests their batting depth could be a factor in innings-specific markets for any remaining fixtures.
- Gaddafi Stadium's 43 per cent chase success rate across 145 matches means toss outcomes and first-innings totals tend to have an outsized influence on results here, which is worth bearing in mind when assessing match-related markets.
- Player of the Match markets may be shaped by Pakistan's depth across departments; Agha Salman's award in this fixture underlines that contributions from the middle order can be decisive at this venue.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Pakistan Cricket vs Australia
What was the result of the Pakistan vs Australia T20I on 31 January 2026?
Pakistan beat Australia by 90 runs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan posted 198/5 batting first, then bowled Australia out for 108. Agha Salman was named Player of the Match.
Who won the toss and what did they decide?
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. The decision proved correct as they put on 198/5, well above the Gaddafi Stadium average first-innings score of 208, and set a total Australia could not reach.
Where to watch Pakistan vs Australia T20I in the UK?
Pakistan vs Australia T20I cricket is typically broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with live streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV. Check listings ahead of any further fixtures in this series for confirmed broadcast times.
What is the head-to-head record between Pakistan and Australia in T20Is?
Australia lead the all-time T20I head-to-head by 60 wins to Pakistan's 29, from 94 meetings, with 4 no results. Pakistan have, however, won both T20Is played in Lahore in 2026, including victories by 111 runs and 90 runs.
What is the Gaddafi Stadium like for T20 cricket?
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has hosted 145 T20 matches with an average first-innings score of 208. The average powerplay brings 46 runs and the death overs yield around 43. Chasing sides win approximately 43 per cent of the time, making first-innings totals particularly influential on results here.
How have Pakistan been performing in T20Is recently?
Pakistan's recent T20I form in 2026 includes two wins and one loss. Before this fixture they beat Australia by 111 runs in Lahore, lost to Sri Lanka, and then defeated Sri Lanka. The back-to-back victories over Australia at Gaddafi Stadium suggest Pakistan are in strong touch on home soil.
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Photo credits (1)
- Pat Cummins — photo by SirWellsy99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source