ISLAMABAD: Maaz Sadaqat may have missed out on selection for Pakistan’s upcoming One-day International tri-series featuring England and Sri Lanka, but the left-handed batter has set his sights firmly on next year’s World Cup.
The 21-year-old impressed in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scoring consecutive half-centuries in the first two matches to help Pakistan clinch the series. His performances also reflected Pakistan’s shift towards a more aggressive batting approach in T20 cricket, with Maaz emerging as a prominent figure in that change.
In the opening match, he made 50 off 29 balls, helping Pakistan recover from an underwhelming powerplay alongside captain Sahibzada Farhan.
Maaz followed it up in the second T20I with a commanding 96 off 51 balls, hitting seven sixes and six fours as he came close to a maiden international century.
However, his recent run in Pakistan colours will have to wait for another opportunity after he was left out of the ODI squad despite having already featured in six matches in the format, including his debut earlier this year.
Maaz made an immediate impact in only his second ODI against Bangladesh, scoring 75 and taking three wickets with his left-arm spin. But he could not maintain that form in the subsequent home series against Australia in May-June, where he managed scores of eight, zero and 27 on difficult surfaces.
The reasons behind his omission from the squad for the upcoming tri-series remain unclear. The break, however, gives him a chance to work on his game with the 2027 World Cup in mind.
“I am targeting the ODI World Cup and I am preparing for it,” Maaz said in a video interview released by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday. “I have a 15-20-day window coming up which I am going to dedicate to working on myself for the World Cup.”
The youngster, who rose from tape-ball cricket in Peshawar to become a franchise T20 sensation, has continued to build his reputation on the domestic and international circuits. He also scored two centuries in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League season.
Maaz said his progress depended on strengthening his natural game rather than focusing too much on weaknesses.
“[In training] I try to work as much as I can on my strengths and less on my weaknesses, because if the ball is out of my range, I’d still be able to push it for a single or two,” he said. “However, if it is in my range, then I can hit it for six with my eyes closed.
“If you watch both my CPL and international knocks, I keep a positive intent from the very start.
“And if the ball comes in my range then I don’t spare it. And when a ball is a bit here or there, I try to rotate the strike.”
That clarity also extends to his preferred batting position. Although Maaz has previously said he is willing to bat anywhere in the order, he admitted he feels most comfortable opening the innings.
“I feel the most comfortable playing as an opener,” he said.
A place in Pakistan’s squad for the 2027 World Cup would put Maaz in contention for an opening slot alongside Saim Ayub, who is averaging nearly 47, and experienced batter Fakhar Zaman.
Maaz, however, sees the competition for places as a challenge rather than a setback.
“Even if I am asked to bat lower in the order, I’ll try to bat so well that they [team management] are forced to push me higher,” he said.
