Pakistan Shaheens Crush India A to Secure Asia Cup Rising Stars Semifinal Spot
Pakistan Shaheens delivered a powerful performance as they defeated India A by eight wickets in the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 clash at West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha, on Sunday night.
The Shaheens chased down a 137-run target with exceptional ease, sealing the win with 40 balls remaining.
Maaz Sadaqat Shines Again with All-Round Brilliance
Maaz Sadaqat continued his outstanding form, earning his second consecutive Player of the Match award. He scored an unbeaten 79 and also bowled superbly, taking 2 wickets for just 12 runs in three overs, including a wicket-maiden.
After smashing 96* off 54 balls against Oman on Friday, Maaz once again dominated the Indian bowlers, hitting seven boundaries and four massive sixes. His explosive 20-run over against Naman Dhir turned the match completely in Pakistan’s favor, helping him reach his fifty in just 31 balls as the required run rate dropped below five.
From there, Pakistan cruised comfortably, needing only 38 more balls to complete the chase while losing just one more wicket.
Solid Support from Batting Line-Up
Yasir Khan was the only batter dismissed during the chase, while Mohammad Faiq contributed a steady 16* and partnered with Maaz for an unbeaten 41-run stand. Faiq wrapped up the game in style with a six, giving the Shaheens their second straight victory in the tournament. Their final group match against UAE is set for Tuesday.
Pakistan’s Bowlers Restrict India A to 136
Earlier in the game, India A was bowled out for 136 in 19 overs by the disciplined bowlers of Pakistan Shaheens.
Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat both took two wickets, while Shahid Aziz was the most impressive player with scores of 3-24. Sufyan also contributed by dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45), India A’s leading scorer, which led to a significant batting collapse.
India A lost eight wickets for just forty-five runs as their innings swiftly collapsed. The middle order was totally destroyed by Pakistan’s spin attack, spearheaded by Saad and Maaz, following a potent 49-run partnership between Suryavanshi and Naman Dhir (35).
Maaz produced a brilliant wicket-maiden in the 13th over, followed by another wicket in the 15th to push India A into deep trouble. Ubaid Shah and Ahmed Daniyal chipped in with a wicket each, while Shahid wrapped up the innings by taking two wickets in three deliveries.
Conclusion
Pakistan Shaheens showcased complete dominance with both bat and ball, securing a convincing win over India A and strengthening their position in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025. With Maaz Sadaqat in exceptional form and the entire squad performing consistently, Pakistan now heads into their final group match with strong momentum. The Shaheens’ balanced display proves they are serious contenders for the title as the tournament progresses.