Maaz Sadaqat's Unbeaten 79 Powers Pakistan Shaheens to Semifinals in Rising Stars Asia Cup

Key facts

• Maaz Sadaqat scored 79 not out off 47 balls, with 7 fours and 4 sixes.
• Pakistan A chased 137 in 13.2 overs, winning by 8 wickets with 7 overs to spare.
• Sadaqat also took 2 wickets for 13 runs in 3 overs, dismissing captain Jitesh Sharma and Nehal Wadhera.
• India A posted 136 all out in 19 overs, led by Vaibhav Suryavanshi's 45 off 28 balls.
• Shahid Aziz took 3 for 24 for Pakistan A.
• Pakistan A topped Group B and became the first team to qualify for the semifinals.
• India A must beat Oman in their final group match to advance.
• Sadaqat had scored an unbeaten 96 against Oman in the previous match.

Lede: A Star is Born in Dubai

Maaz Sadaqat, a 20-year-old left-handed all-rounder from Peshawar, announced himself on the international stage with a blistering unbeaten 79 off 47 balls, steering Pakistan Shaheens to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over India A in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday. The win not only secured top spot in Group B but also booked Pakistan’s place in the semifinals, making them the first team to advance from the group stage.

The Chase: Two Lifelines That Changed the Game

Chasing a modest 137, Pakistan A openers Maaz Sadaqat and Mohammad Naeem raced to 55 runs inside six overs. Naeem fell for 14 off 10 balls, but Sadaqat continued his assault. He survived two early dropped catches that proved pivotal. In the eighth over, leg-spinner Suyash Sharma foxed Sadaqat with a googly, but 16-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi at point put down a straightforward chance. Two overs later, Sadaqat slog-swept a spinner towards deep mid-wicket; Nehal Wadhera caught the ball cleanly but stepped on the boundary cushion, flicking it to Naman Dhir for a relay catch. The on-field umpire initially gave him out, but the TV umpire reversed the decision, ruling not out. Sadaqat, then on 53, returned to the crease as the momentum swung decisively in Pakistan’s favor.

Sadaqat's Dominance: From Peshawar Lanes to International Hero

Born on May 15, 2005, in Peshawar, Maaz Sadaqat grew up playing with plastic balls on dusty streets. A natural left-hander with a booming cover drive and clever left-arm spin, he progressed through school, club, and Under-19 cricket before earning a Pakistan A call-up. After the two dropped catches, Sadaqat did not merely survive; he dominated. He attacked the powerplay ruthlessly, turning every half-chance into a boundary. His unbeaten 79 came off 47 balls, featuring seven fours and four sixes, and he anchored a 55-run opening partnership with Naeem. Yasir Khan added 11 before Mohammad Faiq joined Sadaqat to finish the chase, sealing victory in the 13.2 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Bowling Performance: Pakistan's Disciplined Attack

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Pakistan Shaheens produced a disciplined bowling display, bundling out India A for 136 in 19 overs. Despite an aggressive 45 off 28 balls from Vaibhav Suryavanshi, which included three sixes and five fours, and a fighting 35 from Naman Dhir, India A collapsed dramatically. Their last eight wickets contributed just 45 runs as Pakistan’s bowlers tightened the screws. Shahid Aziz spearheaded the attack with 3 for 24, while Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood claimed two wickets each. Sufyan Muqim, Obaid Shah and Ahmed Daniyal chipped in with one wicket each, ensuring India A never recovered from early setbacks.

Consecutive Big Scores and Semifinal Scenarios

Fresh from a blistering unbeaten 96 against Oman in the previous match, Sadaqat now has consecutive big scores in the tournament. With the ball, he had already registered 2/13 in three overs, removing India A captain Jitesh Sharma and the dangerous Nehal Wadhera. The victory lifted Pakistan A to the top of Group B, making them the first team to enter the semifinals. On the other hand, India A now face a must-win situation: they need to beat Oman in their final group encounter to secure a semifinal berth.

Outlook: Pakistan's Momentum and India's Pressure

Pakistan Shaheens have carried their dominant run from the group stage into the knockout phase, with Sadaqat emerging as the tournament's standout performer. Their eight-wicket victory margin and seven overs to spare underscore their batting depth and bowling precision. For India A, the path forward is narrow: defeat Oman or face elimination. The Rising Stars Asia Cup, a platform for emerging talent, has already seen Sadaqat’s star rise, and his performances will be closely watched as the semifinals approach.

The bottom line

• Maaz Sadaqat's unbeaten 79 off 47 balls, with 7 fours and 4 sixes, powered Pakistan A to an eight-wicket win over India A.
• Sadaqat survived two dropped catches (by Vaibhav Suryavanshi and a relay catch overturned on review) that shifted momentum.
• Pakistan A bowled out India A for 136 in 19 overs, with Shahid Aziz taking 3 for 24 and Sadaqat claiming 2 for 13.
• Pakistan A topped Group B and qualified for the semifinals; India A must beat Oman to advance.
• Sadaqat, 20, from Peshawar, has now scored consecutive fifties (96 vs Oman, 79 vs India A) in the tournament.
• The match was played at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday.