Pakistan Shaheens extended their unbeaten run in the Rising Stars Asia Cup with a dominant eight-wicket victory over India ‘A’ in a Group ‘B’ encounter on Saturday, successfully chasing down a modest 137 with more than six overs to spare at Doha’s West End Park.
The star of the match was 19-year-old all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat, who delivered a commanding all-round performance. After taking two wickets to help trigger India’s collapse, he anchored the chase with a blistering unbeaten 79 off 47 balls, ensuring the Shaheens crossed the finish line comfortably.
India ‘A’, having elected to bat first, appeared set for a competitive total after a bright start. Fourteen-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi led the charge with a lively 45 off 28 deliveries, striking five fours and three sixes. His attacking approach, coupled with Naman Dhir’s 35 off 20, lifted India to 81-2 by the ninth over as the pair added 49 for the second wicket.
The 19-year-old all-rounder, who also claimed two wickets earlier, single-handedly dismantled India’s bowling after a dropped catch, ensuring the Shaheens maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament.https://t.co/SI4SD9zO4l
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 16, 2025
However, the innings unraveled rapidly. Left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Suryavanshi in a debated long-on catch, a moment that swung momentum decisively Pakistan’s way. Captain Jitesh Sharma’s brief stay for five runs preceded a dramatic middle-order collapse, with India losing eight wickets for just 35 runs across the final 10 overs. Pakistan’s bowlers maintained tight control, with Shahid Aziz returning figures of 3-24, while Maaz (2-12) and Saad Masood (2-31) applied sustained pressure. A late 19 off 15 from Harsh Dubey offered temporary resistance, but India’s eventual 136 — the tournament’s lowest total — fell well below par.
Pakistan’s reply began aggressively, with Maaz and Mohammad Naeem racing to 51 without loss inside five overs, capitalising on an erratic opening spell from India’s bowlers. Yash Thakur broke the stand, but Maaz continued unfazed, reaching his half-century off 31 balls and dispatching multiple sixes off Dhir and Suyash Sharma. A dropped chance at point on 56 proved costly for India as the left-hander accelerated further, sealing the win in the 14th over alongside Mohammad Faiq, who remained unbeaten on 16.
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India’s struggles in the field and inconsistency with the ball compounded their batting woes, while Pakistan’s clinical display reinforced their title credentials as the tournament progresses.
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