Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd T20I Match Preview: 31 January 2026, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Match Details

• Date: Saturday, 31 January 2026
• Time: 11:00 AM GMT / 4:30 PM IST / 4:00 PM Local
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Series: Australia tour of Pakistan 2026 (3-match T20I series)
• Series Standing: Pakistan 1-0 (won 1st T20I by 22 runs)

Match Context

The 2nd T20I between Pakistan and Australia is set to be a high-stakes encounter as both teams gear up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The series, being held in Lahore, offers Pakistan a home advantage, and with the first match already in their favor, they will be eager to maintain momentum.

Australia, despite missing key players in the first T20I, displayed resilience and will look to bounce back in this crucial second match. Mitchell Marsh is expected to return to the captaincy, while players like Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green are set to make an impact.

Current Form

Pakistan

Pakistan's performance in the first T20I showcased their ability to capitalize on early momentum and execute a disciplined chase. Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha were instrumental with the bat, while Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub provided crucial breakthroughs with the ball. The team's balanced approach and home advantage make them strong contenders.

Australia

Australia showed glimpses of their potential in the first match, but missed chances and poor run chases cost them dearly. With the return of key players such as Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, the team is expected to be more competitive. The middle and death overs will be pivotal for Australia, with Adam Zampa and Xavier Bartlett likely to be the key performers.

Players to Watch

Pakistan

• Saim Ayub: A match-winner with both bat and ball; scored 40 off 22 and took 2/29 in the first T20I.
• Salman Ali Agha (c): The captain who leads from the front, with a strike rate of 200 in his last 100 runs.
• Abrar Ahmed: A rising fast bowler with tight lines and ability to pick up wickets.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi: The premier pace bowler who can exploit the conditions in the death overs.
• Shadab Khan: The left-arm spinner who can break partnerships and control the flow of runs.

Australia

• Travis Head: A destructive batter with a boundary rate of 24% in 45 international innings.
• Cameron Green: A versatile all-rounder with 294 runs at a strike rate of 159.78 in nine T20I games.
• Mitchell Marsh (c): The experienced captain with a knack for finishing games.
• Adam Zampa: Australia's key spinner, who took 4/24 in the first match and has a 70% wicket-taking rate in middle overs.
• Xavier Bartlett: A leg-spinner with 21 wickets at an average of 19.33 and an economy rate of 7.44.

Head-to-Head

• Last 5 T20Is: Australia 4 wins, Pakistan 1 win
• Overall T20I Record: 14–14 (Australia and Pakistan level on 14 wins each)

Australia's dominance in recent encounters could be a psychological factor, but Pakistan's home advantage and recent form give them a fighting chance.

Venue Insights – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

• Average First Innings Score (2022–2026): 168.00
• Win Percentage for Batting First: 62%
• Win Percentage for Batting Second: 38%
• Wickets per Innings: 6.72 (1st), 7.06 (2nd)
• Powerplay Wickets: 1.58 per innings
• Middle Overs (6–15): 2.81 wickets
• Death Overs (16–20): 2.37 wickets

The pitch is generally batting-friendly, but the dew factor in the evening can assist bowlers during the second innings.

Probable Playing XIs

Pakistan

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Australia

Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards

Match Predictions

• Toss Winner: Australia
• Match Winner: Australia
• Top Batsmen: Salman Agha (Pakistan), Travis Head (Australia)
• Top Bowlers: Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan), Adam Zampa (Australia)
• Most Sixes: Salman Agha (Pakistan), Travis Head (Australia)
• Player of the Match: Adam Zampa (Australia)
• Team Scores:
  • Pakistan: 160–170
  • Australia: 160–170

Key Insights

• Travis Head’s Winning Streak: Australia wins 80% of matches where Head scores 50+.
• Babar Azam’s Dot Ball Challenge: Only 32% of balls faced by Azam are dots.
• Zampa’s Wicket-Wizardry: Zampa takes 70% of his wickets in middle overs.
• Dew Factor: The toss is likely to be crucial, with the winning team possibly opting to bowl first.

Conclusion

The 2nd T20I promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. While Australia's depth and experience give them an edge, Pakistan's home advantage and strong recent performance cannot be overlooked. The match will hinge on how the top order performs and how effectively the spinners control the middle overs. Expect a closely fought battle with fireworks from both sides.

Who will win the 2nd T20I?
Prediction: Australia
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