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Published : 14 Mar 2026, 12:08 AM
Pakistan have levelled the three-match ODI series after beating Bangladesh by 128 runs, powered by an all-round show from 20-year-old Maaz Sadaqat.
The second match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday saw drama around Salman Ali Agha’s run-out and a long weather interruption, but the Tigers never matched the spark of the previous game as Pakistan cruised to victory.
Sadaqat, playing only his second international match, struck 75 from 46 balls with five sixes and took three wickets with his left-arm spin.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 274 runs with a half-century from Salman Agha.
At one stage a score around 310-320 seemed possible, but Bangladesh clawed back with seven wickets for 43 runs after Agha’s run-out.
The bowling momentum did not carry over to Bangladesh’s batting.
After losing three wickets early, play was halted due to lightning and rain.
When the match resumed after more than two hours, Bangladesh were set a revised target of 243 in 32 overs but were bowled out for 114.
Bangladesh, who chose to bowl first after winning the toss, struggled as Sahibzada Farhan and Sadaqat gave Pakistan a brisk start.
Farhan played the supporting role while Sadaqat attacked from the other end, hitting boundaries off Mustafizur Rahman, a six over long-off off Taskin Ahmed, and a flick over mid-wicket. Nahid Rana also suffered a 97-metre six.
Pakistan raced to 45 runs in five overs and finished the powerplay at 85.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the opening partnership when Sadaqat attempted a scoop and was caught by the wicketkeeper.
The stand had yielded 103 runs with Sadaqat scoring 75 and Farhan 21.
Farhan fell soon after edging Taskin Ahmed, and Shamyl Hossain was dismissed by Nahid Rana.
Rizwan and Agha steadied the innings with singles and twos while punishing loose deliveries. Their partnership took Pakistan past 200.
The match’s most dramatic moment came in the 39th over.
Rizwan pushed Miraz’s delivery to mid-on and the ball rolled to non-striker Agha.
Attempting a single, Agha was run out by Miraz with an underarm throw to the stumps. Television replays confirmed he was short of the crease.
Agha left the field angrily, throwing his gloves and helmet. The dismissal ended a 109-run stand and triggered a collapse. Rizwan also fell in the same over.
Chasing the revised target, Bangladesh lost early wickets.
Tanzid Hasan fell for one, Saif Hassan followed, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was bowled for zero.
Lightning and rain delayed play in the seventh over. After the pause, Bangladesh resumed but failed to recover.
Litton Das made 41, Afif Hossain 14, and Towhid Hridoy 28, but the lower order, including Miraz and Rishad Hossain, could not resist. Bangladesh were all out for 114.
The series-deciding third ODI will be played on Sunday.
Scoreboard:
Pakistan: 274 in 47.3 overs (Sahibzada 31, Maaz Sadaqat 75, Shamyl 6, Rizwan 44, Salman Agha 64, Talat 9, Samad 11, Fahim 14, Afridi 3, Wasim 1, Rauf 2 not out; Taskin 8-0-59-1, Mustafizur 9-0-53-1, Nahid 10-0-59-1, Miraz 10-2-34-2, Rishad 9.3-0-56-3, Afif 1-0-8-0)
Bangladesh: (Target 243 in 32 overs) 114 in 23.3 overs (Saif 12, Tanzid 1, Shanto 0, Litton 41, Hridoy 28, Afif 14, Miraz 1, Rishad 2, Taskin 5, Mustafizur 4, Nahid 3 not out; Afridi 5-0-22-2, Wasim 5-0-25-1, Rauf 4.3-0-26-3, Sadaqat 5-0-23-3, Fahim 4-0-18-1)
Result: Pakistan won by 128 runs (DLS method)
Man of the Match: Maaz Sadaqat
