Last Updated on 4 days ago by Charbel Coorey

Australia’s trial by spin in the next month or so began in Lahore, with Pakistan’s spinners combining to inspire a 22-run win in the opening T20I on Thursday.

Australia are expected to welcome back key players for the second T20I, but the task remains the same – overcoming spin. It is an area Adam Zampa has sent a warning about after the Australians lost all their wickets (excluding run outs) to Pakistan’s spin quartet.

For Pakistan, the template remains the same. Quick runs at the top is vital in these conditions, and Saim Ayub showed the way two days ago. However, whether they can get enough impact from their middle order remains to be seen, but their spin attack will be confident of restricting Australia despite the power in their lineup.

PAK vs AUS 2nd T20 2026 Possible Playing XIs

Pakistan could stick with the same XI unless they replace Fakhar Zaman who struggled at number five. Also, Faheem Ashraf or Naseem Shah for Shaheen Shah Afridi is an option.

Pakistan: 1. Sahibzada Farhan, 2. Saim Ayub, 3. Salman Agha (c), 4. Babar Azam, 5. Fakhar Zaman, 6. Usman Khan (wk), 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi/Naseem Shah, 10. Salman Mirza, 11. Abrar Ahmed

Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis could all return after the trio were rested for the opening T20I.

Australia: 1. Travis Head, 2. Mitchell Marsh (c), 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Cameron Green, 5. Cooper Connolly, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Matt Short/Mitch Owen, 8. Jack Edwards, 9. Xavier Bartlett, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Mahli Beardman

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather

Pakistan’s four spinners (Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz) took a combined 6/89 off 14 overs to derail Australia’s chase. Adam Zampa took four wickets for the visitors.

That spinners had joy in the first T20I didn’t come as much of a surprise. Before the opening match, spinners had taken 201 T20 wickets at Gaddafi Stadium since the start of 2022 at an average of 24.41 and economy of 7.73. Pace bowlers took a much larger 433 wickets but at a higher economy of 8.99.

Another cool and mostly cloudy afternoon is forecast. No rain is expected according to AccuWeather.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs AUS 2nd T20 2026: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper picks:

• Josh Inglis will likely bat in the top three, making him the best value pick for fantasy cricket among the wicketkeepers. In all T20s since the start of 2025, Inglis has scored 421 runs batting at number three at an average of 28.1 and strike rate of 174.1.

Key batter picks:

• Travis Head looked in promising form in the opening T20I before he holed out to long off for 23 off 13 balls. Powerplay runs will be vital and Head will look to go hard from the outset. Since the start of 2025, Head has scored 501 T20 runs at a modest average of 23.9 (SR 153.7), so he’ll be after a big score.
• Mitchell Marsh is crucial to Australia’s chances. The captain has been in terrific touch in all T20s in the past year, scoring 1,441 T20 runs (avg. 37.9, SR 152.8) since the start of 2025.

Top allrounder picks:

• Saim Ayub is the most popular captaincy option in Dream11. He opens the batting and bowling and offers impact in both disciplines. He was awarded man of the match in the opening T20I with 40 (22) and 2/29 from three overs, where he dismissed the openers.
• Cameron Green looked in promising touch in the first T20I, despite a middle overs slowdown. He bowled just the one over but remains a crucial cog at number four in Australia’s batting lineup.
• Salman Ali Agha batting at number three offers good fantasy value. The captain looked good in the first T20I for his 26-ball 39. Plus, there is the possibility he brings himself on to bowl given the importance of spin in these conditions.

Top bowler picks:

• Adam Zampa was the star for Australia in the first T20I, taking 4/24. He has taken 16 wickets in 12 T20Is against Pakistan at an average of 17.93 and economy of 6.52, including a strong record against Babar Azam (see below).
• Abrar Ahmed will test the Australians with his variations. He has taken 50 T20 wickets since the start of 2025 at an average of 18.5 and economy of 6.78.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Babar Azam will be motivated to perform against Australia after a tough BBL, but he needs to make the number four position his own.
• Sahibzada Farhan missed out in the opening match, but he was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer last year (771, avg. 30.84, SR 133.62) and is key against the new ball where batting should be easiest.
• Xavier Bartlett is a powerplay wicket-taker and he can provide lower order runs.
• Mohammad Nawaz picked up from where he left off in 2025. He was Pakistan’s top wicket-taker in T20Is last year with 36 at an economy of 6.56.
• Cooper Connolly is struggling with the bat but will play a key role with the ball in these conditions.
• Mahli Beardman bowls in the crunch death overs which brings wicket-taking opportunities, as the first T20I showed. The youngster also has a host of variations.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 29, Pakistan 14, Australia 14, N/R 1.
• Mitchell Marsh against spin in all T20s since 2025: 449 runs, avg. 64.1, SR 146.3.
• Adam Zampa vs Babar Azam in T20Is: 77 balls, 78 runs, four wickets.

PAK vs AUS 2nd T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today Match

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

PAK vs AUS 2nd T20 2026 Match Prediction – Who will win?

Expect a tight match. Australia have it in them to bounce back. Perhaps the team batting first will win this.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, and Cricmetric.