The opening T20I between Australia and Pakistan is set to take place on January 29, 2026, at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium. Australia enters this contest with momentum, having secured victories in their last three T20I series against Pakistan, including a commanding 3-0 whitewash in 2024.
With Lahore’s batting-friendly conditions expected to produce a high-scoring encounter, here’s everything you need to know about the match.
AUS vs PAK 2026 1st T20I Match Information
This bilateral series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Both Australia, the 2021 champions, and Pakistan, the 2009 winners, will be looking to fine-tune their combinations and build momentum heading into the global tournament.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | AUS vs PAK, 1st T20I |
| Series | Australia Tour of Pakistan, 2026 |
| Date | January 29, Wednesday |
| Time | 10:00 PM AEDT (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart in Jan) 9:00 PM AEST (Brisbane) |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Australia vs Pakistan Betting Odds Overview
Australia’s recent form has positioned them as favorites across major betting platforms, while Pakistan offers higher returns due to their underdog status.
| Platform | AUS Win Odds | PAK Win Odds | Toss Odds (AUS) | Toss Odds (PAK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.55 | 2.45 | 1.85 | 1.95 |
| Stake | 1.58 | 2.42 | 1.83 | 1.97 |
| 4RABET | 1.60 | 2.40 | 1.87 | 1.93 |
| BetVibe | 1.62 | 2.38 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
Australia vs Pakistan Team Squads
Both teams have announced strong 16-member squads featuring experienced campaigners and emerging talents for this highly anticipated T20I series.
Australia Squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Pakistan Squad
Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq, Usman Khan (wk), Salman Mirza
Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Analysis
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Flat surface offering consistent pace and bounce, ideal for stroke-making |
| Batting Conditions | Excellent batting track with true bounce, favoring aggressive shot-making |
| Bowling Assistance | Minimal early assistance; fast bowlers may extract some seam movement |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 172 runs in T20 matches |
| Boundary Dimensions | Square boundaries: 75 metres; Straight boundaries: 80 metres |
| Toss Factor | Teams prefer chasing to utilize favorable batting conditions and the dew advantage |
Weather Forecast
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 16°C (ideal playing conditions) |
| Weather | Mostly sunny throughout |
| Precipitation | 10% chance of rain |
| Humidity | 65% |
| Wind Speed | 08 km/h |
Head-to-Head Record In T20Is
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 28 |
| Australia Wins | 14 |
| Pakistan Wins | 13 |
| No Result | 01 |
Players to Watch For Australia vs Pakistan 1st T20I
Australia
| Player | Role | T20I Record |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Marsh | Captain/All-rounder | 2,083 runs in 81 matches (avg: 33.06) |
| Josh Inglis | Wicketkeeper-batsman | 911 runs in 41 matches (avg: 28.46) |
| Adam Zampa | Leg-spinner | 134 wickets in 108 matches (econ: 7.37) |
Pakistan
| Player | Role | T20I Record |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | Fast bowler | 126 wickets in 96 matches (econ: 7.71) |
| Fakhar Zaman | Opening batsman | 2,365 runs in 115 matches (avg: 23.65) |
| Mohammad Nawaz | All-rounder | 867 runs and 87 wickets in 88 matches |
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Match Prediction
Given Australia’s dominant recent form against Pakistan and the batting-friendly conditions at Gaddafi Stadium, a high-scoring thriller is anticipated. Australia’s balanced squad and superior head-to-head record make them slight favorites, though Pakistan’s home advantage and familiarity with conditions could level the playing field. Expect an exciting contest with the team winning the toss likely to chase under lights.
