Australia suffered their biggest T20I defeat in over 20 years and the second-biggest ever, against Pakistan in Lahore on Saturday, January 31.
Australia were dealt a setback in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup as Pakistan beat them comprehensively in the second T20I of the three-match series. The hosts, who also won the first match, have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series as the visitors struggled to tackle spin.
Batting first, Pakistan were led by a brilliant knock from captain Salman Agha, who registered his biggest T20I score of 76, which took him 40 balls, featuring eight fours and four maximums. Wicketkeeper Usman Khan also scored 53 off 36, while Saim Ayub (23 off 11) and Shadab Khan (28 off 20) also chipped in to take Pakistan to 198-5.
In reply, Australia never got going, losing all 10 wickets to spinners; only the second time this has happened in a men's T20I between two Full Member teams. Abrar Ahmed, who returned figures of 3-14, struck first, removing Mitchell Marsh before Saim Ayub got the better of Travis Head with his off-spin. Josh Inglis also fell to Abrar as Australia finished the powerplay at 48-3.
2nd T20I, Pakistan vs Australia
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Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan, brought on after the fielding restrictions were lifted, picked up a wicket each in their respective first overs to further reduce the visitors to 54-5. Usman Tariq then joined the party, removing Cameron Green before Shadab finished his spell with back-to-back dismissals of Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott.
Abrar removed Matthew Short in the next over before Tariq finished the proceedings by dismissing Matthew Kuhnemann to bowl out Australia for 108. The 90-run loss was their biggest since a 100-run defeat to England in June 2005, which was only the second T20I ever played.
An 89-run loss to New Zealand in Sydney in October 2022 is now their third-biggest margin of defeat in terms of runs in the format.
Australia's biggest men's T20I defeats, full list
| Opposition | Margin of defeat (by runs) | Venue | Year |
| England | 100 | Southampton | 2005 |
| Pakistan | 90 | Lahore | 2026 |
| New Zealand | 89 | Sydney | 2022 |
| West Indies | 74 | Colombo | 2012 |
| India | 73 | Mirpur | 2014 |
| Pakistan | 66 | Abu Dhabi | 2018 |
| Bangladesh | 60 | Mirpur | 2021 |
| West Indies | 56 | Gros Islet | 2021 |
| New Zealand | 53 | Christchurch | 2021 |
| South Africa | 53 | Darwin | 2025 |
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