Maaz Sadaqat’s all-round brilliance steered Pakistan Shaheens to a dominating eight-wicket win over India A in the sixth match of Group B at the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, played at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on Sunday. The contest showcased high-quality cricket as Pakistan’s young talents stamped their authority, inflicting a comprehensive defeat on the Indian side in this much-anticipated encounter.
Maaz Sadaqat leads the charge as Pakistan A overpower India A
India A, electing to bat first under the lights, struggled to build enduring partnerships against a disciplined Shaheens bowling attack. Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided some early momentum with a brisk 45 from 28 deliveries, peppered with five fours and three sixes, while Naman Dhir’s explosive 35 off 20 balls injected brief life into the middle overs. However, wickets tumbled at critical junctures. Sadaqat, the star of the night, struck pivotal blows, first removing skipper Jitesh Sharma and then accounting for Nehal Wadhera, ending with figures of 2/12 from three overs at a miserly economy of 4.00. Shahid Aziz, with 3/24, complimented Sadaqat as India A finished with a modest 136 in 19 overs.
Sadaqat’s brilliance was not confined to his bowling. Chasing a target of 137, the left-handed opener unfurled a masterclass in controlled aggression. He brought up a rapid fifty off just 31 balls, eventually finishing with a sublime, unbeaten 79 from 47 balls, striking seven boundaries and clearing the ropes four times. His partnership with Mohammad Naeem (14 off 10) set the platform before Yasir Khan (11 off 9) chipped in briefly. Sadaqat’s prowess ensured that the chase was never in doubt, and his composed finish, alongside Mohammad Faiq (16* off 14), led the Shaheens across the line in just 13.2 overs, with a commanding 40 balls to spare.
Pakistan A’s commanding victory over India A
The match flow highlighted Pakistan Shaheens’ strategic superiority. India A faltered after losing Priyansh Arya early, and despite flashes of brilliance from Suryavanshi and Dhir, the middle order collapsed under mounting pressure. Maidens and dot balls built by Pakistan’s spinners and pacers resulted in a scoring rate drop post the ninth over. Shaheens’ disciplined bowling saw wickets fall regularly, especially in death overs, triggering an Indian collapse from 91/2 to 136 all out.
Taking guard for the chase, Shaheens looked intent from ball one. Sadaqat’s fifty—reached off 31 balls—set the tone, and the chase became a formality as India’s bowlers failed to pose any serious threat. The Shaheens’ openers motored along at a run-rate exceeding 10, exploiting loose deliveries and capitalizing on extras. Extras (17 runs), including 13 wides, further dented India’s defense and underscored their bowling indiscipline. Pakistan reached 137/2 in just 13.2 overs, stamping one of the tournament’s most emphatic wins.
Sadaqat, deservedly named Player of the Match for his 79* and two crucial wickets, exemplified Pakistan’s rising talent. The win not only solidified Shaheens’ position atop Group B but also sent a strong message to rivals ahead of the knockout stage at the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025.
Here’s how fans reacted:
🚨Pakistan defeat India🚨
– Pakistan Shaheens won big in Doha — they bowled out India A for 136 and chased it in 13.2 overs to reach the semifinals of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025. 🇵🇰
– Maaz Sadaqat starred with 2/12 and 79* off 47 balls. For India A, 14-year-old Vaibhav… pic.twitter.com/C0wGrspFC0
— Rinkal Mangukiya (@mnmangukiya) November 17, 2025
Top Performance by🇵🇰 Pakistan Shaheens V 🇮🇳India A
Maaz Sadaqat was superb with the Bat and Ball
Well Done 🇵🇰Shaheens✌️#PakAVSIndA pic.twitter.com/W2w3oTMHVs— Sudais Rahman (@SudaisRAHMAN17) November 17, 2025
The way that truth is unfolding, the demand for it is going to increase a lot, only when someone is given a chance will we know who is doing what. Maaz sadaqat @MohsinnaqviC42 @babarazam258 @CoachHesson @ImTanveerA @cric_pundit pic.twitter.com/uZKQ07aPxj
— shahzada love (@shahzada_love) November 17, 2025
BACK-TO-BACK SUPERB SPELLS BY MAAZ SADAQAT👏
– 3 overs
– 12 runs
– 1 maiden
– 2 wickets
– 11 dot ballsWhat a special talent he is! 🤩🔥#PAKvSL #JeetKaScene #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/DwPMG4b0LE
— Shoaib Akhtar (@MashhoodZo80732) November 17, 2025
Pakistan 🇵🇰 A beat India 🇮🇳 A ( rising stars 2025 – MAAZ SADAQAT what a all rounders young star ⭐️ full of talent @MaazSadaqat @TheRealPCB_Live @BCCI pic.twitter.com/cCmmSkwDTv
— MUHAMMAD JAVED (@MJavedGujjarCan) November 17, 2025
🌟Player of the Match ⭐
💥 All-round brilliance! Maaz Sadaqat smashes 79* off 47 and grabs 2-12 🔥#PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/1owPQ4VvJp
— Muzammal Shah (@imuzammalshah) November 17, 2025
Maaz Sadaqat has earned his second Player of the Match award in just two games. He scored an unbeaten 96 off 54 balls against Oman and took two wickets, and today against India A he delivered again with an unbeaten 79 off 47 along with two more wickets — playing a crucial role in… pic.twitter.com/XPg7JyycNW
— Tariq Khan (@_TariqKhan) November 16, 2025
🚨PAKISTAN A DESTROYS INDIA A BY 8 WICKETS🚨
– Maaz Sadaqat completely dominated Indian lineup and Pakistan thrashed India in just 13.2 overs🔥 pic.twitter.com/D4ExLrXsTh
— Zubair Khan Roy (@ZubairKhan48996) November 16, 2025
– 96 not out (54) Vs Oman
– 79 not out (47) Vs India20 – YEAR OLD MAAZ SADAQAT IS A SPECIAL KID. BORN TO GIVE INDIA A HAMMERING!! pic.twitter.com/S8Ir8LT4fU
— Adnan Ahmad (@AdnanAOfficial) November 16, 2025
Pakistan A won by 8 wickets ⚡#Cricket #INDvsPAK #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/d8K95lHqkq
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 17, 2025
Also READ: Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025: Complete squads of all 8 teams
