Darwin – Pakistan Shaheens cruised to their third win of the Top End T20 Series on Wednesday evening, hammering Adelaide Strikers by 107 runs at the DXC Arena. The result takes the Shaheens to six points from five outings, keeping them firmly in contention as the tournament moves into its final stretch.
Maaz and Yasir lay the platform
The Shaheens opted to bat first and immediately set the tone with a blistering 149-run stand between openers Maaz Sadaqat and Yasir Khan. Yasir, who has been in reliable touch this series, cracked 51 off 35 deliveries — his second half-century of the campaign — before falling with the score already past 140.
From there, the spotlight belonged entirely to Maaz. The 20-year-old left-hander played with maturity well beyond his years, bringing up his first century of the tournament. His 59-ball 104, studded with 11 fours and two sixes, was the backbone of Pakistan’s innings. Abdul Samad chipped in with a brisk 25 off 18 to push the total to a daunting 202 for six.
Strikers’ only bright spot came through Harry Manenti, who picked up three wickets in an otherwise forgettable bowling display.
Strikers stumble under scoreboard pressure
Chasing over 200 was always going to be an uphill task, and Adelaide’s top order collapsed under the pressure. Reduced to 49 for five inside eight overs, their hopes of mounting a challenge were over almost as soon as they began. Mackenzie Harvey showed some fight with 27 off 17, but no other batter offered resistance.
The Shaheens’ spin attack tightened the noose, with Mubasir Khan the standout. The off-spinner returned excellent figures of 3 for 19, while left-arm duo Faisal Akram and Mehran Mumtaz grabbed two wickets each to bundle Strikers out for just 95 in 16.1 overs.
What’s next
The win underlines the depth in Pakistan’s young squad, with Maaz’s breakthrough innings adding another name to watch in their growing list of prospects. The Shaheens will be back in action on Friday, 22 August, when they face Nepal at the same venue under lights.
Match Summary
- Pakistan Shaheens 202-6 in 20 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 104, Yasir Khan 51, Abdul Samad 25; Harry Manenti 3-31)
- Adelaide Strikers 95 all out in 16.1 overs (Mackenzie Harvey 27; Mubasir Khan 3-19, Faisal Akram 2-19, Mehran Mumtaz 2-20)
- Result: Pakistan Shaheens won by 107 runs
