Bangladesh vs Pakistan 2nd ODI: Maaz Sadaqat's all-round brilliance helps PAK level series

Match Overview

Pakistan drew level with Bangladesh in the three-match ODI series with a massive 128-run victory in the 2nd ODI on Friday, March 13 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. After being put in to bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 274 in 47.3 overs as Rishad Hossain (3/56, 9.3 overs) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2/34) ran through their batting lineup.

20-year-old Maaz Sadaqat top-scored for his team in just his second ODI, playing a blistering innings of 75 (46), with the help of six fours and five sixes.  In reply, Bangladesh were skittled for 114 in 23.3 overs, chasing a DLS revised target of 243 in 32 overs.

Sadaqat starred with the ball as well, scalping three wickets, giving away 23 runs from his five overs, while captain Shaheen Afridi (2/22, 5 overs) also chipped in with two wickets. Bangladesh’s chase never got going as Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr (1/22, 4 overs) ran through their top order, leaving them reeling at 15/3 in 4.3 overs.

The hosts were 27/3 in 6.3 overs when rain came to their rescue and threatened to washout the game. However, after some relentless work from the ground staff, the match resumed as Litton Das (41 off 33) and Towhid Hridoy (28 off 38) tried to stabilise the innings, adding 58 runs for the fourth wicket off 48 balls.

However, just when it seemed Bangladesh were clawing their way back into the game, Maaz Sadaqat broke their stand and triggered a collapse.

Earlier, after a horror batting show in the first ODI, Pakistan made a massive improvement as openers Sahibzada Farhan (31 off 46) and Sadaqat got them off to a rollicking start, adding 103 runs for the first wicket off just 78 balls. After a solid start, both openers returned to the pavilion while Shamyl Hussain got dismissed cheaply to leave Pakistan on 122/3 in 19.3 overs.

After three quick blows, Salman Agha (64 off 62) joined Mohammad Rizwan (44 off 59) at the crease and the duo stitched a massive 109-run stand off 115 balls to bring their team into a commanding position. However, some sneaky work at the non-striker’s end by Mehidy Hasan Miraz led to a controversial dismissal of Agha in the 39th over.

The dismissal led to another collapse with Pakistan losing the last seven wickets for 43 runs. However, despite that, they managed to post enough on the board to stay alive in the three-match series with a commanding win with one match remaining in the rubber.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Maaz Sadaqat was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his dominant all-round show. He first scored a blistering 75 (46) to get Pakistan off to a rollicking start and later scalped 3/23 with the ball to run through Bangladesh’s batting.

Turning Point

The 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Salman Agha (64 off 62) and Mohammad Rizwan (44 off 59) played a key role in helping Pakistan set up a good score after they were put in to bat first. Courtesy of their partnership, Pakistan managed to bring Bangladesh under scoreboard pressure in the second innings, which eventually led to a collapse.

What the Captains said:

Winning Team Captain, Shaheen Afridi (PAK) 

“No, I think last game, that's not in our way, early wicket [wickets]. We had a good partnership in first game and then back-to-back wickets, same tonight as well. But yeah, a simple message, go and play your own game. (on the pitch) I think this pitch is totally different, whenever we come here, there was more spin, we feel it will be like helpful for fast bowlers and that's why we bring four fast bowlers and I think they bowled really well. Really happy. (on areas of improvement) No, I think that back-to-back wickets we lost, we have to like, you know, add up a good partnership. Till then, we lost wicket [wickets] in the middle overs as well. We need to improve that one as well as a team. And that series, we just build our team for the World Cup and that's our goal. And also mentioned that Maaz Sadaqat, really happy for him as a team. All team is really happy, youngster had a very good match performance. So happy for him."

Losing Team Captain, Mehidy Hasan (BAN)

"I think, yes, we [have to] take the advantage first 10 overs. You know, the last match was excellent. The bowler [bowlers] bowled really well. We just took the advantage, but we didn't execute well because, you know, first 10 overs we giving [gave] many runs and obviously goes to credit them. They played really, really well first 10 overs. (what was the chat from the top-order?) Yes, I think, obviously, it's a very good wicket to bat on, like, you know, so we have a little mistake. So the top-order batsmen didn't get runs. So I think it's been a problem and we have to look for these things. (on what they need to do for the decider?) Yeah, definitely. Yes, we have to improve our batting unit because, you know, we bowled really well and we are great comeback. I think we have to focus on our batting unit. You have to take responsibility as well because, you know, if you're not getting runs, definitely we are not [in] good positions. (on the Agha run-out) Yes, he's just away from the wickets, you know, like, you know, I'm just looking for the ball. Yes, if you miss, definitely he [he's] going for the run. So I'm just think [thinking] about like that."