Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match: Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra took a sharp dig at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his enthusiastic praise following Pakistan’s 22-run win over Australia in the first T20I of the ongoing three-match series in Lahore on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The victory ended a seven-year wait for a T20I win over Australia and gave Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the home series ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Celebrating the result, Sharif called it a “proud moment for the nation” and acknowledged the efforts of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the team management.

Chopra, however, questioned the hype around the win. Sharing the prime minister’s post on X, he said, “With due respect…it’s a bilateral T20i against Australia’s B team. Many main players have given it a miss. And a 20-run win in a 170 run game can’t possibly qualify as ‘electrifying’ 🫣”

Pakistan’s innings was anchored by Saim Ayub (40) and captain Salman Ali Agha (39), who shared a 74-run partnership. The team finished at 168/8 after a middle-order collapse. In reply, Australia started aggressively but lost key wickets, including Travis Head, Matthew Short, and Cameron Green. Pakistan’s bowlers and fielders, including two crucial run-outs, sealed the 22-run win.

The result gave Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the series and a confidence boost ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.