Having won one and drawn two of their previous preseason matches, the Buccaneers were looking to maintain their unbeaten record, but the Qatari champions had other ideas.
Al-Sadd had the perfect start to the game when Hashim put them in the lead in the third minute of the match following a mix-up at the back by Pirates.
It took the Buccaneers only seven minutes to find the equaliser through Tshegofatso Mabasa who was making his first start for Pirates. Mabasa was put through on goals by Kabelo Dlamini.
Mabasa then grabbed his brace and put Pirates in the lead a minute later after pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area and slotted the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Al-Sadd kept probing as they looked for the equaliser and they were rewarded in the 40 th minute when they failed to clear the ball, having come close to conceding from a free kick a minute later. Platas deflected shot beat Melusi Buthelezi in goals.
