In the rain-affected bangladesh vs pakistan second one-day international, novice allrounder Maaz Sadaqat led Pakistan to a series-levelling 128-run win that sets up a winner-takes-all decider at the same venue.
Sadaqat, playing his second ODI, struck a 46-ball 75 and returned figures of 3-23 with his left-arm spin to claim player of the match. Pakistan were bowled out for 274 in 47. 3 overs after a strong start that included a 103-run opening stand between Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan. A thunderous lightning and hailstorm delay of well over two hours produced a revised target of 243 in 32 overs for Bangladesh, who were dismissed for 114. Bangladesh had taken the first ODI by eight wickets after a new-look Pakistan, fielding four debutants, were also bowled out for 114 in the opening game. The series decider will be on Sunday at the same venue in Mirpur.
What Happens Next in Bangladesh Vs Pakistan?
- Key allround performance: Maaz Sadaqat — 46-ball 75; 3-23 (left-arm spin) and player of the match.
- Pakistan innings: 274 all out in 47. 3 overs; late slide of seven wickets for 43 runs after Sadaqat’s departure.
- Match interruption: Lightning and hailstorm delayed play for well over two hours; Bangladesh target revised to 243 in 32 overs.
- Bangladesh batting: All out for 114 in 23. 3 overs; top-score Litton Das was dismissed lbw to Sadaqat after the resumption.
- Bowling changes and impact: Haris Rauf, the only change from Pakistan’s first game, finished with 3-26 and cleaned up the tail.
- Notable partnerships and dismissals: Sadaqat and Farhan 103 in 13 overs; Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan added 109; Agha was later run out in unusual circumstances.
How This Win Shapes the Decider
Pakistan’s victory flips the momentum back into a finely poised series. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said the team’s response after the first game was to play its natural game, noting the pitch’s assistance to fast bowlers and the selection of four seamers. Bangladesh had been 27-3 when play was halted; on resumption Sadaqat removed top-scorer Litton Das lbw and claimed two further key wickets, while Afif Hossain and Rishad Hossain were also dismissed cheaply.
The match featured moments likely to affect selection and tactics for the decider. Haris Rauf’s return and 3-26 will reinforce Pakistan’s seam options, while Pakistan’s middle-order fragility—seen in the late seven-wicket collapse—remains an area captain Afridi flagged as needing improvement. Bangladesh must rebuild confidence after two low totals, with the earlier first-game victory demonstrating they can exploit Pakistan’s vulnerabilities when their batters click.
Disciplinary and temperament issues also surfaced: an unconventional run out of Salman Ali Agha in the 39th over prompted visible frustration, and video showed him discarding his helmet and gloves as he left the field. The run out occurred when Agha at the non-striker’s end attempted to pick up the ball after Rizwan drove back to Mehidy Hasan Miraz; the bowler retrieved the ball and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end and the TV umpire gave the decision.
The decider in Mirpur will resolve the evenly poised contest. Teams and selectors will weigh the immediate lessons: Pakistan’s ability to produce a match-winning allround display from a 20-year-old and Bangladesh’s need to find a sizable partnership under pressure. Expect both sides to enter the final match with clear corrective priorities and heightened scrutiny on middle-order resilience as the series outcome hangs on the decider in the bangladesh vs pakistan
