DHAKA — Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 128 runs in the rain-affected second One-Day International at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday, levelling the three-match series 1-1. All-rounder Maaz Sadaqat produced a decisive performance with both bat and ball, helping Pakistan secure a comprehensive victory.
Sadaqat scored a rapid 75 and later claimed three wickets for 23 runs as Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to 114 in 23.3 overs. Bangladesh had been chasing a revised target of 243 in 32 overs under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method after rain interrupted play for more than two hours.
Pakistan build strong total after rapid start
Pakistan were bowled out for 274 in 47.3 overs after choosing to bat first. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat gave the visitors an aggressive start, putting together 103 runs from just 77 deliveries.
Sadaqat led the charge during the opening partnership, striking six fours and five sixes in his 46-ball innings. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz eventually broke the stand by dismissing Sadaqat.
Pakistan soon lost momentum when Farhan and Shamyl Hussain were dismissed in quick succession by Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana respectively, leaving the visitors at 122 for three.
Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan then steadied the innings with a 109-run fourth-wicket partnership. Agha scored 64 from 62 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while Rizwan contributed 44 from 59 deliveries.
Agha’s innings ended in an unusual run-out when Miraz dismissed him while he was outside the crease at the non-striker’s end. Pakistan then lost their remaining five wickets for 43 runs, finishing short of the 300-run mark that once appeared likely.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain led Bangladesh’s bowling effort with three wickets, while Miraz took two. Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan bowlers dismantle Bangladesh chase
Bangladesh’s reply began poorly as Pakistan’s pace attack struck early. The hosts lost three wickets inside the first five overs with only 15 runs on the scoreboard.
Rain halted the match when Bangladesh were 27 for three in 6.3 overs. After a delay of more than two hours, the target was revised to 243 in 32 overs under the DLS method.
Following the restart, Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy attempted to rebuild the innings with a partnership of 58 runs from 47 balls. Das scored 41 from 33 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and two sixes before Sadaqat dismissed him.
His wicket triggered a collapse as Bangladesh lost four more wickets quickly, including Hridoy for 28. The hosts slipped to 103 for eight before fast bowler Haris Rauf removed the remaining batters to seal Pakistan’s victory.
Sadaqat and Rauf finished with three wickets each, while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed two. Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Faheem Ashraf took one wicket apiece.
With the series tied at 1-1, the deciding third ODI between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played on March 15 at the same venue in Dhaka.
Squads
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Haris Rauf.
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.
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