Maaz Sadaqat delivered a stellar all-round performance, leading Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding eight-wicket victory over India ‘A’ in their Rising Stars Asia Cup Group ‘B’ clash. His blazing unbeaten 79 off just 47 balls was the cornerstone of the chase, as Shaheens successfully pursued a target of 137 with 40 balls to spare, maintaining their undefeated streak in the tournament.
Opting to bowl first at Doha’s West End Park, Pakistan’s disciplined attack triggered a significant Indian collapse. After a promising start, India ‘A’ was bundled out for 136 in 19 overs. Teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, initially ignited the innings with a fiery 45 off 28 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Partnering with Naman Dhir (35 off 20), Suryavanshi added 49 for the second wicket, propelling India to 81-2 by the ninth over.
However, Sufiyan Muqeem’s left-arm wrist spin shifted the momentum, dismissing Suryavanshi. This sparked a middle-order meltdown, with India losing eight wickets for just 35 runs in the final 10 overs. Maaz Sadaqat contributed significantly with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets for just 12 runs, while Saad Masood also took 2-31. Shahid Aziz then mopped up the tail with 3-24. For more breaking news, visit SindhNews.com.
Maaz Sadaqat’s Dominance in the Chase
The Shaheens’ chase began aggressively, with Maaz Sadaqat and Mohammad Naeem (14 off 10) quickly accumulating 51 runs in five overs, capitalizing on some wayward bowling. Although Yash Thakur provided a breakthrough, the momentum remained with Pakistan. Maaz Sadaqat was unstoppable, reaching his half-century off 31 balls, decorated with audacious sixes. Despite being dropped on 56 by Suryavanshi, he unleashed further fury, sealing the victory with Mohammad Faiq (16 not out off 14) with a pulled six in the 14th over. India’s fielding woes, including missed chances and misfields, compounded their bowling errors as Pakistan’s required run rate steadily dipped.
This comprehensive performance by Maaz Sadaqat solidified Pakistan Shaheens’ position as a strong contender in the Rising Stars Asia Cup, showcasing their depth and talent.
Scores in brief:
INDIA ‘A’ 136 in 19 overs (V. Suryavanshi 45, N. Dhir 35; Shahid Aziz 3-24, Saad Masood 2-31)
PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 137-2 in 13.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 79 not out, Mohammad Faiq 16 not out)
Conclusion:
Pakistan Shaheens’ eight-wicket demolition of India ‘A’ underscored their dominance in the tournament, securing an unbeaten run. The match highlighted Maaz Sadaqat’s exceptional all-round capabilities, as his batting brilliance single-handedly steered the chase to a decisive victory, demonstrating the team’s potent blend of batting power and disciplined bowling.