Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi has encouraged his side to "play your natural game" as they levelled their ODI series with Bangladesh at 1-1.

Twenty-year-old Maaz Sadaqat starred in just his second ODI for his country, scoring 75 off 46 balls before taking three wickets as Pakistan won by 128 runs (DLS method).

Sadaqat's 75, along with Salman Agha's 64, before the latter was run out in controversial fashion by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, helped Pakistan set a total of 274, while Bangladesh were bowled out for 114 in their chase for a revised target of 243 in 32 overs.

Haris Rauf also picked up three wickets from just 4.3 overs as only Litton Das (41) threatened with the bat for Bangladesh.

Pakistan were thrashed by eight wickets in the series opener, a game in which the tourists handed four debuts, one of which was Sadaqat.

Afridi revealed that his message to his team after that defeat was to not overthink their game plan, and it worked out in the second ODI.

"The last game didn't go our way. The simple message was to go and play your natural game," said Afridi.

"I think the pitch was helpful for fast bowlers, that's why we played four of them. And they bowled well too, so really happy.

"We lost wickets in the middle overs; we need to improve that. Really happy for Maaz."

A thumping win for Pakistan in the second ODI against Bangladesh 

The two sides meet again on Sunday for the series decider #BANvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/OS7fnF5Up0

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 13, 2026

Sadaqat shared that sentiment, adding: "In our meeting, we spoke about playing our natural game.

"In the last game, it was my debut, so there was some pressure too. This time, I played my natural game, and God helped me.

"I am a batting all-rounder basically, and talking with our coach helped me."

The final ODI of the series will take place on Sunday in Dhaka.