New Delhi, Jan. 30 -- Pakistan beat Australia in a Twenty20 for the first time in eight years on Thursday.

The comfortable 22-run win to open the three-match series pitted a full-strength Pakistan against an under-strength Australia just over a week out from the T20 World Cup.

The spin quartet of Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz - all selected for the T20 World Cup -- shared six wickets to restrict Australia to 146-8 in reply to Pakistan's 168-8.

Ahmed led with 2-10 off four overs and Ayub's two wickets included Australia stand-in captain Travis Head for a 13-ball 23.

"It was a great game," captain Salman Ali Agha said. "I felt 170 was enough on this pitch because our spin bowling is outstanding."

In the absence...