By Alam Zeb Safi
MIRPUR, Bangladesh: A superb all-round performance by Peshawar-born Maaz Sadaqat powered Pakistan to a commanding 128-run win over Bangladesh via DL method in the rain-affected second One-Day International at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday, leveling the three-match series 1-1.
Sadaqat struck a blistering 75 off just 46 balls and later returned with the ball to claim 3-23 as Pakistan dominated the contest in both departments.
After being asked to bat first by Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Pakistan made a flying start through openers Sahibzada Farhan and Sadaqat. The pair put together a rapid 103-run partnership, laying a strong platform in the early overs.
Sadaqat was the aggressor during the stand, smashing six fours and five sixes in an explosive display. He reached his maiden fifty off just 31 balls, taking the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers and propelling Pakistan past the 100-run mark in only 12.2 overs.
Farhan supported well with 31 off 46 balls before he was caught by Towhid Hridoy off the bowling of Taskin Ahmed.
Pakistan’s momentum briefly stalled when Shamyl Hussain fell for six, leaving the visitors at 122 for three. However Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman steadied the innings with a vital partnership.
The duo added 109 runs for the fourth wicket, rebuilding Pakistan’s innings after the quick wickets. Salman played an attacking knock of 64 from 62 balls, striking seven boundaries and two sixes while Rizwan anchored the partnership with a composed 44.
Salman’s innings ended in a controversial run-out involving Miraz in the 39th over, a dismissal that broke the partnership and triggered a dramatic late collapse. Rizwan was dismissed just two balls later, caught at deep midwicket, leaving Pakistan suddenly vulnerable.
Pakistan lost seven wickets for just 43 runs as the innings unraveled from 231 for three to 274 all out in 47.3 overs.
For Bangladesh, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 56 runs. Miraz picked up two wickets for 34 runs, while Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Nahid Rana claimed one wicket each.
Bangladesh’s chase was interrupted early by rain, which reduced the target to 243 runs in 32 overs under the DLS method. But the hosts suffered a disastrous start against Pakistan’s pace attack.
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice early to remove Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto, while Mohammad Wasim Junior dismissed Saif Hassan as Bangladesh slumped to 13 for three.
Litton Das tried to mount a fightback with an aggressive 41 off 33 balls, sharing a 58-run stand with Towhid Hridoy, who made 28. But Pakistan regained control when Sadaqat trapped Litton leg-before wicket.
Sadaqat then removed Afif Hossain and Rishad Hossain to dismantle the middle order while Haris Rauf cleaned up the lower order with three wickets.
Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 114 in 23.3 overs, handing Pakistan a comprehensive victory.
Afridi finished with 2-22, Rauf returned figures of 3-26, while Faheem Ashraf chipped in with one wicket.
The emphatic win levels the three-match ODI series at 1-1, setting up a decisive final match.
Scorecard
Pakistan Innings – 274 all out (47.3 overs)
Sahibzada Farhan c Towhid Hridoy b Taskin Ahmed 31 (46)
Maaz Sadaqat c Litton Das b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 75 (46)
Shamyl Hussain c Mustafizur Rahman b Nahid Rana 6 (22)
Mohammad Rizwan c Rishad Hossain b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 44 (59)
Salman Agha run out (Mehidy Hasan Miraz) 64 (62)
Hussain Talat b Rishad Hossain 9 (13)
Abdul Samad run out (Afif Hossain/Mehidy Hasan Miraz) 11 (7)
Faheem Ashraf c Soumya Sarkar (sub) b Mustafizur Rahman 14 (15)
Shaheen Shah Afridi c Afif Hossain b Rishad Hossain 3 (9)
Mohammad Wasim c Saif Hassan b Rishad Hossain 1 (4)
Haris Rauf not out 2 (3)
Extras: 14
Total: 274 all out in 47.3 overs
Bangladesh Bowling
Taskin Ahmed 8-0-59-1
Mustafizur Rahman 9-0-53-1
Nahid Rana 10-0-59-1
Mehidy Hasan Miraz 10-2-34-2
Rishad Hossain 9.3-0-56-3
Afif Hossain 1-0-8-0
Bangladesh Innings – 114 all out (23.3 overs)
Saif Hassan c Abdul Samad b Mohammad Wasim 12 (12)
Tanzid Hasan c Mohammad Wasim b Shaheen Shah Afridi 1 (7)
Najmul Hossain Shanto b Shaheen Shah Afridi 0 (2)
Litton Das lbw b Maaz Sadaqat 41 (33)
Towhid Hridoy lbw b Haris Rauf 28 (38)
Afif Hossain c Salman Agha b Maaz Sadaqat 14 (15)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Mohammad Wasim b Faheem Ashraf 1 (5)
Rishad Hossain b Maaz Sadaqat 2 (5)
Taskin Ahmed c Shaheen Shah Afridi b Haris Rauf 5 (14)
Mustafizur Rahman c Mohammad Rizwan b Haris Rauf 4 (7)
Nahid Rana not out 3 (3)
Extras: 3
Total: 114 all out in 23.3 overs
Pakistan Bowling
Shaheen Shah Afridi 5-0-22-2
Mohammad Wasim Jr. 5-0-25-1
Haris Rauf 4.3-0-26-3
Maaz Sadaqat 5-0-23-3
Faheem Ashraf 4-0-18-1
Result: Pakistan won by 128 runs (DLS method)
Player of the Match: Maaz Sadaqat (75 & 3-23)
Series: Three-match series level at 1-1
