Pakistan crush Bangladesh by 128 runs to level ODI series at 1-1
Pakistan's batting lineup came alive in the second ODI at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday, posting 274 all out after Bangladesh won the toss and put them in. Rain cut the contest short, but it barely mattered. Bangladesh, chasing a revised target of 243 from 32 overs under the DLS method, collapsed to 114 all out in 23.3 overs.
Maaz Sadaqat turns the series on its head
The 2nd ODI belonged to Maaz Sadaqat. The left-arm batsman walked out with Pakistan wobbling and blasted 75 off just 46 deliveries, hitting six fours and five sixes to drag his side past 270. He then returned with the ball and picked up 3 for 23, ripping through Bangladesh's middle order when they needed stability most.
Salman Ali Agha played the anchor role with a measured 64 off 62 balls, while Mohammad Rizwan chipped in with 44 and Sahibzada Farhan added 31 to give Pakistan's total enough weight.
Bangladesh crumble after rain break
Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi tore into the top order early, reducing Bangladesh to 15 for 3. The rain interruption that followed only seemed to make things worse for the hosts. Litton Das fought hardest with 41, and Towhid Hridoy made 28, but nobody else offered serious resistance. Rauf finished with three wickets and Shaheen claimed two for 22 as Bangladesh folded inside 24 overs.
Nahid Rana, the hero of the first ODI where he took 5 for 24, went wicketless this time around as Pakistan's batters showed far more composure than they did two days ago.
Series goes to a decider
The result levels the three-match series at 1-1, with the decider scheduled for March 15 in Dhaka. Bangladesh will need to regroup quickly. Their bowling, so potent in the opener, looked toothless once Maaz Sadaqat got going, and the batting lineup offered nothing after the early breakthroughs. Pakistan, on the other hand, finally looked like a side with intent.
