An all-round performance led by Maaz Sadaqat helped Pakistan register a convincing 128-run win on DLS over Bangladesh in the second ODI at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Friday. The three-match ODI is levelled 1-1 with the third ODI set to take place at the same venue on Sunday, 15 March.
Batting first after hosts opted to field, Pakistan posted a competitive 274 in 47.3 overs, courtesy of a blazing knock by Maaz Sadaqat and a solid middle-order effort by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s side.
Opening the innings, Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat provided Pakistan with a brisk start, adding 103 runs for the first wicket inside 13 overs. Maaz was the aggressor, striking six fours and five sixes in a 46-ball 75, bringing up his half-century in just 31 deliveries. This was Maaz second ODI after making his international debut in the first ODI of the series.
After the quick start, Mohammad Rizwan (44, 59b, 5x4s) and Salman Ali Agha (64, 62b, 7x4s, 2x6s) rebuilt the innings with a crucial 109-run fourth-wicket partnership that steadied Pakistan after a brief middle-order wobble.
Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain claimed three wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up two, but Pakistan’s total proved more than enough after rain reduced Bangladesh’s chase to 243 in 32 overs under the DLS method.
Pakistan’s bowlers then produced a clinical display with the new ball as Shaheen struck twice early to remove Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto, while Mohammad Wasim dismissed Saif Hassan to leave the hosts reeling at 13 for three.
Litton Das (41, 33b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Towhid Hridoy (28, 38b, 2x4s) tried to rebuild the innings, but Maaz with his left-arm spin bowling turned the match further in Pakistan’s favour with a superb spell of three for 23, removing Litton, Afif Hossain and Rishad Hossain in quick succession.
Haris Rauf also bowled with pace and control, grabbing three wickets for 26, while Faheem Ashraf chipped in with one wicket as Bangladesh were bowled out for 114 in 23.3 overs, well short of the revised target.
For his match-winning all-round performance of 75 runs and three wickets, 20-year-old Maaz was named player of the match.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 128 runs on DLS
Pakistan 274 all out, 47.3 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 75, Salman Ali Agha 64, Mohammad Rizwan 44, Sahibzada Farhan 31; Rishad Hossain 3-56, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-34)
Bangladesh 114 all out, 23.3 overs (Litton Das 41, Towhid Hridoy 28; Maaz Sadaqat 3-23, Haris Rauf 3-26, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-22)
