Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the national cricket team’s performance in the first T20I against Australia in Lahore on Thursday (January 29).

The Men in Green defeated the visitors by 22 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

A day after the game, Sharif took to X and congratulated Pakistan on beating the Australian side missing quite a few of their first-choice T20I stars. His post also gave credit to the PCB leadership.

“Well done Team Pakistan for an electrifying performance against Australia in the first T20I. I also appreciate Chairman PCB @MohsinnaqviC42 and his entire team for their tireless efforts in strengthening Pakistan cricket. Proud moment for the nation,” Pakistan PM tweeted.

However, the post drew backlash on social media, with even former India cricketer Aakash Chopra reminding Shehbaz Sharif of how inconsequential Pakistan's win was.

"With due respect…it's a bilateral T20i against Australia's B team. Many main players have given it a miss. And a 20-run win in a 170-run game can't possibly qualify as ‘electrifying'," Chopra wrote.

It is worth mentioning here that Australia are missing five of their top performers in the ongoing Pakistan T20I series. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, and Nathan Ellis are not part of the series to manage fitness and workload ahead of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.

Regular skipper Mitchell Marsh also skipped the first T20I in Lahore due to a late arrival from the Big Bash League final, leaving Travis Head to lead the depleted side.

Coming to the match, Pakistan posted a modest 168/8 and restricted Australia to 146/8. Saim Ayub was the stand-out performer for the hosts, scoring 40 off 22 balls and then returning with the bowling figures of 2/29 in 3 overs.