Maaz Sadaqat’s All-Round Brilliance Powers Pakistan to 128-Run Win Over Bangladesh
Pakistan produced a dominant performance to defeat Bangladesh by 128 runs (DLS) in the rain-affected second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday, leveling the three-match series. Young all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat starred with both bat and ball, scoring a rapid half-century before claiming three wickets to lead Pakistan’s charge.
Chasing a revised target of 243 in 32 overs after a lengthy rain interruption, Bangladesh struggled from the start and were eventually bowled out for just 114 in 23.3 overs.
Originally set 275 in 50 overs, the hosts had a disastrous start as Pakistan’s bowlers struck early, leaving them 15/3 inside the first five overs. Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy tried to steady the innings, taking the score to 27/3 in 6.3 overs before rain forced the players off the field for more than two hours.
After play resumed, the pair attempted a counterattack and added 58 runs from 47 deliveries. However, Sadaqat broke the partnership by dismissing Litton, which triggered another collapse in the Bangladesh batting lineup.
Litton was the top scorer for the home side with a fighting 41 off 33 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Once he departed, Bangladesh quickly lost momentum. Hridoy contributed 28 before becoming one of several wickets to fall during a rapid slide that left the hosts reeling at 103/8 in 19.4 overs.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf then cleaned up the tail to seal a convincing win for Pakistan.
Sadaqat and Rauf led the bowling effort with three wickets each. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up two, while Mohammad Wasim Jr and Faheem Ashraf claimed one apiece.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz opted to bowl first, but the decision did not pay off as Pakistan posted 274 before being bowled out in 47.3 overs.
Pakistan’s innings began aggressively with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Sadaqat racing to a 103-run stand in just 77 balls. Miraz eventually provided the breakthrough by removing Sadaqat, who smashed 75 off 46 deliveries, including six fours and five sixes.
Soon after, Bangladesh struck twice more as Farhan fell to Taskin Ahmed and Shamyl Hussain was dismissed by Nahid Rana, leaving Pakistan at 122/3.
Pakistan rebuilt through a strong fourth-wicket partnership between Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan, who added 109 runs together to put the visitors firmly in control.
However, the partnership ended in unusual fashion when Agha was run out by Miraz while standing outside the crease at the non-striker’s end as he tried to assist him in picking up the ball. The Pakistan batter left the field visibly frustrated after scoring 64 from 62 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes.
Rizwan soon followed after making 44 off 59 deliveries. His dismissal triggered a late collapse as Pakistan lost their final five wickets for just 43 runs, falling short of the 300-run mark that once looked well within reach.
For Bangladesh, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain was the most successful bowler with three wickets. Miraz claimed two, while Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed took one each.
