Salman Ali Agha Opts to Bat as Pakistan Target Series Win in Pakistan vs Australia 2nd T20I

In a high-pressure fixture at Gaddafi Stadium, captain Salman Ali Agha wins the toss and sends his side in to bat in the second T20I. Pakistan is leading 1–0 in the three-match Pak vs Aus T20I series 2026.

Agha backed the surface factor straight away. The Lahore strip is expected to grip as the game wears on, bringing spin into play. Pakistan’s attack reflects that reading, with multiple slow-bowling options retained and fresh balance added through Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf. Babar Azam continues at No. 4, a role the team management views as key to controlling the middle overs tempo.

Australia walks in with urgency and reinforcements. Mitchell Marsh returns to lead after missing the opener, while Josh Inglis strengthens the batting core. The visitors were tied down by spin in the first match and will again look to Adam Zampa, who starred previously, to break partnerships and stall Pakistan’s scoring phases.

Playing XI For 2nd T20I

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq

Australia Playing XI For 2nd T20I

Matthew Short, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa