Parnell Says Maaz Sadaqat as Pakistan’s Next Breakout Superstar

Former South Africa Test pacer Wayne Parnell delivered a striking endorsement on Tuesday, calling Maaz Sadaqat Pakistan’s “next superstar” after the youngster’s lively run in the ongoing Nepal Premier League. The timing of that praise felt significant. People didn’t expect this level of talent at just 20. He doesn’t just bat, he bowls too, and carries himself with a calm, confident presence on the field.

Maaz is turning out for Janakpur Bolts, a side led by Parnell, and his early return has been hard to ignore. Three games in, he has piled up 95 runs at a sharp clip, swinging freely with a strike rate touching 179.24. When the scoreboard flashed those numbers, you could almost hear the excitement around the camp. Gasps echoed around the ground when he launched a couple of clean hits deep into the stands.

A Breakout Stretch With the Ball Too

His bowling hasn’t sat quietly either. Three wickets at an economy of 6.50 tell another part of the story. That one moment flipped everything when he removed a set batter with a dipping, slower ball. You could see the disappointment written on the batter’s face.

Parnell even posted a mirror selfie with the youngster on Instagram, stamping it with a simple line: “Pakistan’s next superstar.” That kind of public nod from a seasoned international fast bowler lands with weight.

Asia Cup Heroics Still Fresh

Maaz’s surge didn’t come out of nowhere. Last month’s Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship changed his profile entirely. He topped the scoring charts with 258 runs at an almost surreal average of 129. Two unbeaten fifties, seven wickets, and the Player of the Tournament award sealed the package. Fans erupted when he steered the Pakistan Shaheens past India A with a composed unbeaten 79 off 47. His career graph looks very different, and if he keeps playing with this kind of bold intent, who knows, a spot in the Pakistan team might not be far away.

For Pakistan, always searching for dependable all-rounders, Maaz’s progress offers something intriguing. And if Parnell’s reading of his trajectory proves right, the next chapter might arrive sooner than anyone imagined.