Pakistan vs Australia 1st T20 Match Prediction, Preview, Betting Tips, and Who will win PAK vs AUS?

Pakistan (PAK) face Australia (AUS) tomorrow at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on January 29, 2026 in first of three T20s series. For Pakistan home ground advantage is huge. The Gaddafi crowd doesn’t mess around, and Pakistan won their last six matches here. Babar just became the highest T20I run-scorer ever, Saim Ayub’s in great form, and Shaheen-Rauf can rip through anyone. Australia? Just lost 2-1 to India and they’re missing Hazlewood. Pakistan’s middle order is still dodgy, but at home they’re dangerous. Win tomorrow and Australia are under serious pressure straightaway. Let’s Break down with expert analysis, betting insights, team performance, pitch report, and our PAK vs AUS 1st T20 match prediction. Who will win today’s match?

Team Performance

Pakistan Cricket Team Preview & Performance

Pakistan’s recent T20 form? Mixed bag, honestly. They lost that first match against South Africa, got rolled for 139, which was embarrassing. But then Saim Ayub smashed 71 in the next game and they restricted SA to just 110. Ended up winning the series 2-1, which felt good.

The tri-series at home was better. Beat Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe pretty easily, won the final too. Lost one match to Sri Lanka but that didn’t matter much. Sahibzada Farhan’s been consistent, and Babar just broke Rohit’s record for most T20I runs—massive achievement. Shaheen, Rauf, and this new guy Salman Mirza have been bowling well.

But here’s the issue: middle order still can’t handle pressure. Top order fails and everything collapses.

Playing at home in Lahore is a huge advantage—Pakistan won their last six T20s there. The noise, the atmosphere, it gets to visiting teams. With the World Cup coming up, they need to sort out the middle order now or regret it later. The talent’s there, just needs consistency when it matters most.

Australia cricket Team Preview & Recent Performance

Australia’s T20 form? Not great right now. Just lost to India 2-1 at home, which hurts. They grabbed one win in Melbourne—Hazlewood took 3/13 and basically won it for them. But then lost twice in a row. That Carrara defeat was rough, India smashed them by 48 runs.

Mitchell Marsh has looked okay in patches, made 46 in Melbourne. But nobody’s really consistent. The batting line-up keeps failing when it matters.

Here’s the problem: four consecutive T20 series losses to India now. Haven’t beaten them since 2018-19. That’s getting in their heads.

Bad news is Hazlewood’s not coming to Pakistan. Their best bowler sitting out weakens the attack massively. Nathan Ellis and the others better step up. Travis Head can explode at the top, but he’s been getting out cheap lately.

Going to Lahore after losing at home isn’t ideal. The noise there is insane, Pakistani crowds don’t give you a minute’s peace. Conditions will be unfamiliar, pitches will turn, and Australia barely have time to adjust after the India series. Senior players need to deliver immediately. Pakistan at home are tough to beat—Australia are walking into a tough assignment here.

Pakistan vs Australia 1st T20 – Probable Playing XI

Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Australia Playing XI: Travis Head, Matthew Short, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Renshaw, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis

PAK vs AUS Today’s T20 Match Weather Condition:

• Temperature: 18.1°C
• Humidity: 56%
• Rain: 0% Rain of chance
• Wind direction: N
• Wind speed: 3.6KPH

Also, check live PAK vs AUS 1st T20 Match betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.

PAK vs AUS Today’s T20 Match Pitch Report & Condition

For the 1st T20I on 29 January 2026, the Gaddafi Stadium pitch is expected to be a flat, batting-friendly surface that traditionally yields high scores, with an average first-innings total of around 170–172. Although pacers have historically taken about 68% of the wickets at this venue, the toss factor remains a critical strategic element for the 4:00 PM (local) start; captains are likely to bowl first to exploit the anticipated dew factor during the second innings, which often makes the ball difficult for bowlers to grip and simplifies the chase for the batting side.

T20 match Prediction: Team chasing are favourites to win today’s PAK vs AUS 1st T20 Match 2026.

Today’s Betting Insights for PAK vs AUS 1st T20 Match 2026

• Who will win the toss Today: PAK to win the toss and elect to bowl first.
• Top Batter Performance: Travis Head
• Top Bowler Performance: Shaheen Afridi
• Today’s T20 match betting tips: Team bowling first are safe bet to play today’s PAK vs AUS 1st T20 Match 2026.