 Pakistan beat India to stay afloat in Asia Cup
3rd Jul 2008 08:01 IST
Agencies
Familiar Indian team nemesis Younis Khan (123 not out) rose to the occasion with a scintillating century as Pakistan chased down an intimidating target en route to an eight-wicket win against their lacklustre archrivals to stay afloat in the Asia Cup tournament at the National Stadium in Karachi Wednesday night.
With captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76), Rohit Sharma (58) and Virender Sehwag (49) chipping in with the bat, India put 308/7 on the board. Their listless bowling colleagues, however, could not defend the total and Pakistan cruised to 309/2 in 45.3 overs to make the chase look like a stroll in the park.
Chasing 309 to stay afloat in the tournament, Pakistan got off to a rollicking start with Nasir Jamshed (53) and Salman Butt (36) taking the Indian attack by the scruff of its neck.
And when Butt returned, following an almighty mix-up, and Jamshed retired hurt due to dehydration, Younis once again emerged as India's bogeyman, while stand-in skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (70 not out off 62 balls) ensured it remains an all-round memorable outing for him. Younis' unbeaten 117-ball knock was studded with 11 fours and a six.
A win on Wednesday night would have sent India to Sunday's summit showdown against Sri Lanka and Dhoni's men will now need to get past the islanders when they return to the National Stadium in less than 24 hours for their last super four stage match.
Pakistan meet Bangladesh day after and going by form, the hosts should not have much of a problem taming the minnows. In such a case, run rate might play a vital role in deciding who play the Lankans on Sunday.
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