Last Updated on 5 days ago by Charbel Coorey

Preparations for the T20 World Cup now ramp up with Pakistan and Australia going head-to-head in three T20Is. However, hosts Pakistan will have the benefit of playing their expected XI for the World Cup, and they will be looking to gain momentum against a new-look Australia squad.

Australia will be without a host of regulars in this match with a number of players featuring in Sunday’s BBL Final. Also, the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will return from their respective injuries in the T20 World Cup, with others including Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis rested.

However, this is an opportunity for those on the fringes of Australia’s first-choice team to stake a claim. Spots will open up in the future, so now is a great chance to make an impression.

For Pakistan, a lot of the spotlight is on Babar Azam after a tough BBL. His strike rate of 103.06 is the lowest for any player who scored at least 200 runs in a season. He was denied a single by Steve Smith and has been criticised by a lot of the Australian public, so motivation will surely be high to perform here.

PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026 Possible Playing XIs

According to ESPNcricinfo, Khawaja Nafay is expected to line up in the XI. Also, it could be a choice between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

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

According to reports, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis are unavailable for this match. It remains to be seen which players from the BBL Final will feature in this opening T20I.

Australia: 1. Travis Head (c), 2. Matt Short, 3. Matt Renshaw, 4. Cameron Green, 5. Cooper Connolly, 6. Mitchell Owen/Jack Edwards, 7. Josh Philippe (wk), 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Sean Abbott/Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Mahli Beardman/Matt Kuhnemann

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather

In all T20s since the start of 2022, pace bowlers have taken 433 wickets here at an average of 26.04 and economy of 8.99. Spinners have fared well, taking 201 wickets at an average of 24.41 and economy of 7.73.

In PSL 2025, the average first innings score was 171.29. Scores picked up as the season went on with three 200+ scores in the final four matches. Chasing teams won eight of the 14 games.

A cold afternoon is forecast for this 4pm match. No rain is expected. “I didn’t pack too many jumpers; I wasn’t aware Pakistan got this cold,” said Mitch Marsh, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper picks:

• Josh Philippe looks the safest pick but his output depends on where he bats in the order. He hit 292 runs in the recent BBL (avg. 24.33, SR 137.08).

Key batter picks:

• Travis Head holds the key and can get Australia off to a flyer. Since the start of 2024, Head has scored 1,920 runs in all T20s at an average of 34.9 and strike rate of 173.8.
• Babar Azam will be determined to perform well in this match. Since the start of 2022, Babar has scored 683 T20 runs at Gaddafi Stadium at an average of 56.92 and strike rate of 137.42.
• Sahibzada Farhan struck the most T20I runs for Pakistan in 2025 (avg. 30.84, SR 133.62). He has performed solidly in T20s on this ground in the past three years: 12 inns, 394 runs, avg. 39.4, SR 135.86.

Top allrounder picks:

• Cameron Green had a difficult Ashes but he is an excellent pick in fantasy cricket given his white-ball credentials. In the past two years, Green has struck 637 T20 runs at an average of 39.8 and strike rate of 150.6. Against spin, the average bumps up to 66.8 with a strike rate of 145.1.
• Saim Ayub is hot and cold with the bat but often provides overs, enhancing his Dream11 value. One thing to keep in mind is Ayub typically fares better chasing in T20Is (avg. 24.2 in 2025) compared to batting first (avg. 17.8 in 2025).

Key bowler picks:

• Adam Zampa has taken 12 wickets in 11 T20Is against Pakistan at an economy of 6.57. He has an excellent head-to-head record against Babar Azam (see below).
• Shaheen Shah Afridi is coming back from injury after a difficult BBL. He has 12 wickets in nine T20Is against Australia (avg. 24.16, SR 16).

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Mohammad Nawaz is picked in just 20.16% of Dream11 players. He was Pakistan’s top wicket-taker in T20Is in 2025 with 36 at an economy of 6.56.
• Cooper Connolly’s bowling was a real strength of his in the BBL. He fell away with the bat, but still offers all-round value. Keep an eye on where he is listed in the team.
• Agha Salman is a popular pick in Dream11 (63.6%) but he had a strike rate of 115.31 in T20Is in 2025 (581 runs, avg. 26.04).
• Abrar Ahmed in T20Is in 2025: 22 inns, 28 wickets, avg. 19.25, SR 17.53.
• Fakhar Zaman in T20Is against Australia: 9 inns, 252 runs, avg. 31.50, SR 153.65.
• Matt Short can provide a fast start in the powerplay but his batting against spin is cause for improvement.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 28, Pakistan 13, Australia 14, N/R 1.
• Saim Ayub in T20s at Lahore since 2022: 10 inns, 260 runs, avg. 26.00, SR 153.85.
• Babar Azam has the most runs in PAK-AUS T20Is: 11 inns, 430 runs, avg. 47.77, SR 128.35.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi vs Travis Head in T20Is: 16 balls, 28 runs, no wickets.
• Adam Zampa vs Babar Azam in T20Is: 69 balls, 69 runs, three wickets.

PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today

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 1st T20 2026 Match Prediction – Who will win?

Given Pakistan will field their near first-choice team, they should win this game.

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.