Maaz Sadaqat may have missed out on selection for Pakistan’s upcoming One-day International (ODI) tri-series featuring England and Sri Lanka, but the swashbuckling left-hander has his sights firmly set on next year’s World Cup.
The 21-year-old made a strong impression on the international stage 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 were more than just individual milestones, signalling a shift towards a more aggressive batting approach in T20 cricket, with Maaz emerging as a key figure in the change.
He scored 50 off 29 balls in the opening match, helping Pakistan recover from an underwhelming powerplay alongside captain Sahibzada Farhan.
In the second T20I, Maaz took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers, smashing 96 off 51 balls, including seven sixes and six fours, to come close to a maiden international century.
His impressive run, however, will have to wait for another opportunity to continue in Pakistan colours, with the batter left out of the ODI squad despite having featured in six matches in the format, including his debut, earlier this year.
Maaz had made an immediate impact in only his second ODI against Bangladesh, scoring 75 and taking three wickets with his left-arm spin. However, he struggled to maintain that form in the subsequent home series against Australia in May-June, managing 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, offers him an opportunity to refine 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 struck two centuries in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League season.
Maaz believes the key to his progress lies in strengthening his natural game rather than focusing excessively on his 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 of approach also extends to his preferred batting position. Although Maaz has previously said he is open to batting anywhere in the order, he admits he is 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 campaigner Fakhar Zaman.
Maaz, however, views 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.