Islamabad(The COW News Digital)Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by a massive 128 runs in the second One Day International at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, leveling the series 1-1. A brilliant all-round performance by Muaz Sadaqat proved decisive as Pakistan dominated both with bat and ball.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das won the toss and opted to field first on a surface that appeared favorable for early bowling. Pakistan’s opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Muaz Sadaqat provided a solid start, putting together a valuable 103-run partnership that set the tone for the visitors.
Sadaqat played an aggressive innings, scoring 75 runs off just 46 deliveries. His knock included six boundaries and five towering sixes, keeping the Bangladesh bowlers under constant pressure. Fakhar Zaman contributed 31 runs before being dismissed with Pakistan’s total at 121.
Following the strong opening stand, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman built another important partnership. Salman scored a fluent 64 runs while Rizwan added 44, helping Pakistan reach a competitive total. Despite a brief collapse in the lower order, Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 274 in 47 overs.
For Bangladesh, Rashid Hossain was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two.
Rain briefly interrupted the match during the chase, forcing officials to reduce the contest to 32 overs under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method. Bangladesh’s revised target was set at 243 runs.
However, the home side struggled from the start. Three early wickets fell with just 15 runs on the board, putting Bangladesh under immediate pressure. Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy attempted to rebuild the innings and guided the score to 73 before Litton was trapped lbw by Muaz Sadaqat.
From that point onward, Bangladesh failed to recover. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Pakistan’s pace attack tightened its grip on the game. Muaz Sadaqat and Haris Rauf claimed three wickets each, while Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up two. Mohammad Wasim Jr and Faheem Ashraf also chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for just 114 runs in 23.3 overs, handing Pakistan a commanding victory. Sadaqat’s impressive all-round display, both with the bat and ball, earned widespread praise and played a key role in helping Pakistan draw level in the series.
