Pakistan take consolation win
The win gives Pakistan fans something to shout about
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Published by Gibson Square, out November 15th, 204 pages, £12. |  |
Sunday, 18, Nov 2007 05:49
Skipper Shoaib Malik's powerful 89 helped Pakistan beat India by 31 runs in Jaipur to take a convincing consolation win.
The victory at the Sawai Mansigh Stadium means India win the one-day series 3-2, but Malik's side did well to restore some honour before the Test series, which starts on Thursday.
The tourists got off to a steady start as Salman Butt (36) and Imran Nazir (20) looked solid on a good-looking wicket.
But three quick wickets saw them slump to 77-3 soon after the opening 15 overs had come to a close.
That was the cue for Malik and Mohammad Yousuf (74) to put on 168 for the fourth wicket, turning a weak position into a strong one.
Their steadfastness enabled the Pakistani middle order to hit out with abandon in the final ten overs, finishing on 306-6.
In reply India struggled from the start, losing Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa and Sachin Tendulkar in the first ten overs.
Sohail Tanvir took four top-order wickets for 53 runs and Malik took 3-61 as the Indians struggled to keep up with the required run rate.
Their hopes of completing a convincing series win gradually diminished and had faded away long before the end of Irfan Pathan's spirited 44 brought India's dismissal for 275 with one ball remaining.