Maaz Sadaqat Levels Series for Pakistan

The Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI series was levelled after Pakistan secured a commanding 127-run victory via the DLS method, thanks to a match-winning all-round performance from Maaz Sadaqat.

Pakistan were bowled out for 274 after strong contributions from Sadaqat and Salman Agha, before bowling Bangladesh out for 114 to square the series.

Sadaqat set the tone for Pakistan early in the innings with a blistering knock of 75 from just 46 deliveries. His aggressive start ensured Pakistan avoided a repeat of their batting collapse in the first ODI.

Sadaqat leads Pakistan’s batting recovery

Opening the innings, Sadaqat attacked from the outset. He struck multiple boundaries and even launched Nahid Rana over mid-off for six early in the innings.

By the time he was dismissed, edging a lap shot off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sadaqat had scored 75 of Pakistan’s 103 runs at the time, maintaining a run rate above eight.

While Sahibzada Farhan struggled to match the tempo, Pakistan’s innings briefly slowed when Farhan miscued a shot to third man and Shamyl Hussain departed for 6 off 22 balls after edging a delivery from Rana.

Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan then stabilised the innings in the middle overs. Agha was the more proactive batter, scoring 64 at nearly a run-a-ball pace, which allowed Rizwan to settle and rotate strike.

Their partnership helped Pakistan reach a strong position at 231 for 3 with more than eleven overs remaining.

However, Bangladesh fought back strongly. A controversial run-out involving Agha and Mehidy Hasan Miraz halted Pakistan’s momentum when Agha was caught well short of his crease.

Bangladesh then struck again just two balls later as Rizwan attempted a big shot off Miraz but was caught at deep midwicket.

Hussain Talat fell soon after attempting a big shot, while Abdul Samad was run out following a mix-up, exposing Pakistan’s lower order.

Rishad Hossain finished as Bangladesh’s most successful bowler with figures of 3 for 56, while Miraz maintained control with economical bowling, conceding just 34 runs in his ten overs.

Pakistan bowlers dismantle Bangladesh chase

Bangladesh’s chase began disastrously as Pakistan’s pace attack ripped through the top order.

Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early by dismissing Tanzid Hasan, who flicked towards short midwicket. Afridi then bowled Najmul Shanto with a sharp delivery.

Mohammad Wasim Jnr added another wicket when Saif Hasan was dismissed, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 15 for 3.

Soon after, severe weather halted the match. Hailstorms and lightning strikes forced players off the field at the Dhaka Stadium, causing a delay of more than two hours.

When play resumed, Bangladesh’s revised target was set at 242 runs in 32 overs due to the DLS method.

Litton Das briefly raised hopes for Bangladesh with an attacking 41, taking 20 runs off Haris Rauf in his first two overs.

However, his dismissal proved decisive. Litton missed a sweep off Sadaqat and the DRS confirmed the lbw decision.

From there, Bangladesh’s innings collapsed quickly.

Sadaqat claimed three wickets for 23 runs, while Haris Rauf took 3 for 26 to wrap up the tail.

Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 114 in just 23.3 overs, matching the exact total Pakistan had been dismissed for in the first ODI.

With the series now level after two games, the final ODI will decide the winner of the contest.

Source: https://www.pcb.com.pk/