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Written by Rasesh
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Sunday, 19 February 2006 |
 A masterful knock from Yuvraj Singh and a cameo from MS Dhoni got India through a though ask. Even after the Runs per over had climbed up above 8 with more than 90 runs to get it looked like an uphill task. Dhoni and Yuvraj however made it look like a breeze with reaching the score having more than three overs to spare.
Pakistan's opening batsmen failed again 3rd time in a row to make a big score even though they started well. Sreesath bowled extremely well again and this time was luckier than his previous matches having picking up a few wickets. The Indian bowling didn't start off too well though with Zaheer and Agarkar failing to make their presence felt. They were quickly replaced by the young Sreesanth and RP Singh. Sreesanth got the first wicket at the score of 62 and soon struck again with a good bouncer to get Kamran Akmal with the score on 71. Shoaib Malik who has played magnificent in the series and also the top scorer failed this time and managed to just get into double figures with Sreesanth's outswinger. Raina took a wonderfull catch low down at gully. Then Inzamam and Yousuf looked like they would put up a partnership. Ramesh Powar was playing this match and was brought into the attack in the 22nd over. Inzamam hit him immediately for a huge six only to get out lbw on the next ball. A good ball which straightened similar to the 'Doosra'. Then was Pakistan's best period with Yousuf and Younis Khan together at the crease. At that time with PAK at 210 in about 41 overs it looked all good. The unlikely bowler to give a breakthrough, Agarkar was introduced and got the wicket of Mohammad Yousuf. Soon Razzaq fell to a good delivery from RP Singh. The Pakistan innings finished at 286 for 8.
Indians didn't have two openers to start with Sachin being given a rest. Rahul Dravid opened the innings with Gautam Gambhir. They started off well scoring at a decent pace. Gambhir although did not look very impressive buy managed to score 38 and played a rash shot outside the off-stump. Yuvraj Singh promoted up the order to number 3 joined Dravid. Yuvraj looked promising as usual, but Dravid then became very slow in his run scoring with his strike lying in the low 60s. The Pakistan attack did not look lethal enough to trouble the Indians but they bowled with a good line and length not giving away too many runs. Dravid was cramping up and looked very tired as he scored his fifty. He was soon dismissed by Sami with the score on 141/2. Arriving then was the destroyer of the Pak attack in the previous matches, Mahendre Singh Dhoni. He was extremely composed in the middle with Yuvraj singh playing a steady innings. The situation looked serious when Yuvraj was cramping up and looked as if he would go back as Retired Hurt but decided against it and continued with a runner. Singh looked uncomfortable and was not moving his feet at all, but the bowling was so off-line that he still mananged to knock the ball around to make his 6th ODI century. As soon as his century was over Dhoni looked like he had had enough and started smashing the ball to all parts of the ground. He bludgeoned the attack scoring 77 not out in less than run-a-ball.
It was a repeat of the third ODI with Dhoni and Yuvi finishing off the opponents. Yuvraj Singh deservedly got the Man of the Match and Series award.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 19 February 2006 )
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