Advertisement
Advertisement
DOHA: Pakistan Shaheens got their ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 campaign off to a flying start with a thrilling 40-run victory over Oman at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The opener was defined by a commanding all-round performance from Maaz Sadaqat, who starred with both bat and ball.
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan stumbled early, losing opener Mohammad Naeem for six in the second over.
Sadaqat, however, anchored the innings alongside Yasir Khan, putting on a 44-run partnership before Yasir fell for 26.
Mohammad Faiq’s quickfire 19 off nine balls helped Pakistan reach 101-3 by the 12th over, setting the stage for Sadaqat to take charge.
Sadaqat’s sublime batting saw him reach an unbeaten 96 off 54 balls, featuring five fours and nine sixes.
Meanwhile, captain Muhammad Irfan Niazi provided a blistering cameo of 44 off just 21 deliveries, smashing five sixes to accelerate the innings.
Saad Masood added late fireworks, scoring 19 off six balls, including two sixes, as Pakistan posted a competitive 220-4 in 20 overs.
Chasing 221, Oman struggled from the outset. Ubaid Shah struck early to remove opener Sufyan Yusuf for three, leaving Oman 7-1.
A brief 57-run second-wicket stand between Hammad Mirza and Karan Sonavale offered hope, but wickets fell in quick succession. Sonavale was dismissed for 26, and Mirza ran out for 34, reducing Oman to 73-4 in under 10 overs.
Maaz Sadaqat continued to shine with the ball, taking two key wickets as Pakistan tightened the screws.
Despite an 88-run partnership between Zikria Islam, who scored 57, and Muzahir Raza, Oman could not recover.
Ubaid Shah wrapped up the innings by dismissing Shafiq Jan for a duck, sealing a 40-run victory for Pakistan.
Ubaid Shah finished with impressive figures of 3-29 in three overs, while Sadaqat and Masood chipped in with two wickets each, completing a dominant all-round display to give Pakistan a winning start in the tournament.
