After meeting in the Test series, Australia and Pakistan turn their focus to the shortest format of the game with the T20 series.

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium is the venue for the opening game of the three-match series with Pakistan looking to continue their excellent form in the format. They are top of the rankings with the Australians in third.

Imad Wasim returns to the starting XI after almost a year out following impressive domestic displays. There is no room for Shoaib Malik, who only returned to the capital in the morning after being with his pregnant wife in Pakistan.

The Australians, who are bowling first after winning the toss,  stick to the same starting XI which beat the UAE by seven wickets in Monday’s match.

Pakistan began strongly with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman in good form. The pair put on 32 but Billy Stanlake dismissed Zaman for 14 runs.

But Australia were unable to build on their first wicket, with Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam bringing up an unbeaten 50-run stand for the second wicket.

D’Arcy Short then broke the partnership when Hafeez mistimed his shot to present a simple catch for Ben McDermott to see his 39-run knock come to an end.

The Australians were again celebrating when Adam Zampa trapped Asif Ali for LBW with just two runs to his name. With five overs to go, Azam went on to score his half-century.

Azam is still at the crease but Pakistan have lost four wickets in a short span of time. Asif Ali (2), Hussain Talat (9), Sarfraz Ahmed (0), and Faheem Ashraf (0) all departed with the hosts on 133-7.

Australia require 156 for victory after Babar Azam finished unbeaten on 68 as Pakistan reached 155-8. Billy Stanlake and Andrew Tye took three wickets each.

In their chase, the tourists got off to a poor start with Aaron Finch out for a duck off Imad Wasim. The all-rounder was again on target when he got D’Arcy Short for four.

Faheem Ashraf piled on more misery for the tourists with Glenn Maxwell out for 2 before Ben McDermott was run-out in the same over to become the fourth wicket to fall.

Imad Wasim then got Alex Carey before Chris Lynn became Ashraf’s second victim of the game. With five overs gone, Australia are 22-6.

It was only a matter of time before Pakistan wrapped up victory as Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan claimed the remaining wickets to seal a comprehensive win.

Follow all the live action from the UAE capital below: