Pakistan cruise past India

CENTURION – Shoaib Malik smashed a brisk century to set up Pakistan’s 54-run victory over arch-rivals India in the Champions Trophy here on Saturday.

The middle-order batsman hit 128 for his seventh hundred in one-dayers as Pakistan posted a challenging 302-9 before restricting India to 248 in a pressure match to boost their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals.Veteran Rahul Dravid top-scored with a fighting 76, but India’s chances were severely affected after the departures of big-hitters Gautam Gambhir (57) and Suresh Raina (46).Pakistan have won both of their matches in the four-team group, while Australia beat the West Indies in their opening game in Johannesburg on Saturday. India and the West Indies have yet to open their account.The top two sides advance to the semi-finals.Pakistan were indebted to Malik and Mohammad Yousuf (87) for setting a stiff target in the day-night match as the pair put on 206 in 31.2 overs – their record stand for the fourth wicket against India in one-dayers.India’s chase under lights began on a shaky note when ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar fell in the fifth over, caught behind off teenage paceman Mohammad Aamer after contributing just eight.Gambhir exploded with a flurry of boundaries to keep the pressure on the Pakistani bowlers and fielders, hitting two sixes and seven fours in his quickfire 46-ball knock.Just when he looked like playing a big knock, he was run out following a mix-up with Dravid. Younus sparked celebrations when he hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end from mid-off. India’s chances receded sharply with the dismissal of Raina, who was trapped leg-before by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal after hitting two sixes and five fours in his 41-ball knock.- Nampa-Reuters