An all-round performance led by Maaz Sadaqat helped Pakistan record a convincing 128-run victory by DLS over Bangladesh in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Friday.
The three-match series is level at 1-1, with the third ODI scheduled at the same venue on Sunday, 15 March.
Batting first after the hosts opted to field, Pakistan posted a competitive 274 in 47.3 overs, thanks to a blazing innings from Maaz Sadaqat and a solid middle-order effort from Shaheen Shah Afridi’s side.
Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat gave Pakistan a brisk start, adding 103 for the first wicket inside 13 overs. Maaz was the aggressor, hitting six fours and five sixes in a 46-ball 75, reaching his fifty in just 31 balls. This was Maaz’s second ODI, after making his international debut in the series opener.
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 following a brief middle-order wobble.
Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain claimed three wickets and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two, but Pakistan’s total proved enough after rain reduced Bangladesh’s chase to 243 in 32 overs under the DLS method.
Pakistan’s bowlers then produced a clinical new-ball spell as Shaheen struck twice early to remove Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto, while Mohammad Wasim dismissed Saif Hassan to leave the hosts 13 for 3.
Litton Das (41, 33b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Towhid Hridoy (28, 38b, 2x4s) tried to rebuild, but Maaz’s left-arm spin turned the match further Pakistan’s way with a superb 3 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.