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Pakistan Shaheens continued their remarkable run in the Rising Stars Asia Cup with a dominant eight-wicket victory over India A on Saturday in Doha, chasing down 137 with ease. The hero of the day was 19-year-old Maaz Sadaqat, who delivered one of the most complete all-round performances of the tournament. After picking up two crucial wickets with his clever variations, Maaz returned with the bat to hammer a blistering 79* off just 47 balls, taking Pakistan home with a massive 40 balls to spare.
The win keeps Shaheens unbeaten in Group ‘B’ and firmly establishes them as title contenders.
India Start Brightly, Collapse Dramatically
India A won the toss and chose to bat under clear skies at West End Park, and for the first few overs, they appeared in complete command. The spotlight immediately fell on 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played fearlessly against Pakistan’s new-ball attack. Showing maturity well beyond his age, Suryavanshi struck boundaries with effortless timing, taking on both Ubaid Shah and Shahid Aziz with confidence.
His enterprising 45 off 28 balls included five fours and three massive sixes, lighting up the powerplay and giving India early momentum. Alongside Naman Dhir, who struck a fluent 35 off 20 balls, Suryavanshi added 49 for the second wicket. By the ninth over, India were cruising at 81 for 2 and looked set for a total well beyond 160.
But Pakistan’s bowlers, known for their discipline at the death, turned the game on its head.
Sufiyan Muqeem Breaks India’s Backbone
The turning point came when Sufiyan Muqeem, the left-arm wrist spinner, was brought into the attack. Suryavanshi attempted to go big against him but ended up slicing the ball toward long-on. The catch was taken cleanly, though the decision went upstairs for multiple replays. Eventually, the third umpire upheld the dismissal, and India never recovered.
Captain Jitesh Sharma’s arrival at the crease brought no stability. His scratchy five-ball stay only added to the pressure before he fell, sparking a dramatic slide. What followed was a middle-order meltdown of epic proportions — India A lost eight wickets for just 35 runs across 10 overs.
Pakistan’s Bowlers Dominate
Maaz Sadaqat, who would later steal the show with the bat, was just as effective with the ball. His figures of 2 for 12 in three overs highlighted his control and ability to vary pace smartly. Saad Masood also struck twice, finishing with 2 for 31, keeping the Indian batters in check with tight lines. Shahid Aziz cleaned up the tail brilliantly with his mix of yorkers and disguised slower balls, ending with an excellent 3 for 24.
Harsh Dubey’s late 19 off 15 balls briefly delayed the collapse, but India were eventually bowled out for 136 in 19 overs — a staggering contrast to the 297 they had posted just a day earlier against UAE.
Shaheens Launch Fast and Fearless Chase
Pakistan’s chase began with explosive intent. Openers Maaz Sadaqat and Mohammad Naeem wasted no time and blasted 51 runs in the first five overs. Gurjapneet Singh, usually reliable with the new ball, struggled badly with his line and length, conceding boundaries almost every over.
Naeem fell for a brisk 14 off 10 balls when Yash Thakur found an outside edge, brilliantly caught by Naman Dhir diving forward at mid-off. But that was the only moment India felt in the game. Maaz, already set and timing the ball sweetly, shifted gears further.
Maaz Sadaqat’s Masterclass With the Bat
Maaz reached his half-century off just 31 balls, showcasing a stunning range of strokes. Whether it was slog-sweeping Dhir’s off-spin, stepping out to loft Suyash Sharma, or pulling short balls into the stands, Maaz played with supreme confidence.
His aggression was momentarily rewarded by fortune too — Suryavanshi dropped a straightforward chance at point when Maaz was on 56. That dropped catch opened the floodgates. Maaz unleashed complete carnage in the following overs, ensuring the required rate dipped below four an over.
Mohammad Faiq supported him calmly with an unbeaten 16 off 14 balls. The winning shot came in style — a powerful pull that sailed over midwicket for six, sealing victory in just 13.2 overs.
India’s Fielding Adds to Their Misery
India A’s fielding performance only worsened their fate. Dropped catches, misfields, and poorly executed plans robbed them of any chance to salvage the contest. Their bowlers struggled with discipline, and Pakistan’s batters capitalized gleefully.
Pakistan Shaheens March On
With this emphatic victory, Pakistan Shaheens continue to top their group with dominant performances across all three departments — batting, bowling, and fielding. The emergence of Maaz Sadaqat as a genuine all-round match-winner adds further strength to a squad already brimming with young talent.
If their current form is any indication, Shaheens will enter the knockout stage as the team to beat.
