Shoaib Malik hammered a robust century to help Pakistan post a challenging 302-9 against India in a Champions Trophy match here on Saturday.
Malik made 128 for his seventh hundred in one-dayers as Pakistan recovered from 65-3 to set a stiff target for India in the day-night match, the first between the two teams in more than a year.
He received valuable support from veteran Mohammad Yousuf, who made a brisk 88-ball 87 and together they added 206, Pakistan`s best stand against India for the fourth wicket in one-dayers.
Both dominated the Indian attack with a wide range of attacking shots on a good pitch, with Malik completing his century in the 43rd over when he cut off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for a four.
The Malik-Yousuf onslaught saw Pakistan plunder 85 in the last 10 overs, much to the delight of fans.
Yousuf fell playing shots in the 46th over, bowled by left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra, but not before he had put his team in a strong position having cracked seven fours.
Malik was out in the penultimate over after smashing 16 fours in his 126-ball knock. Nehra was the most successful bowler with 4-55, but hardly received support from the other end.
Pakistan began aggressively after electing to bat as openers Imran Nazir and Kamran Akmal helped their team race to 50 in less than nine overs.
Nazir went for shots early in his innings, hitting four boundaries in his 17-ball 20 before top-edging a pull off Nehra to be caught by Harbhajan at mid-on.
Nehra struck again when he bowled Akmal for 19, but Malik continued to gather runs comfortably. None of the Indian bowlers could pressure on Malik and Yousuf.
Pakistan looked in trouble when skipper Younus Khan was caught behind off left-arm paceman Rudra Pratap Singh after contributing 20.
India then had to wait for more than 31 overs for their next success as Malik and Yousuf applied themsleves remarkably well to put their team in a comfortable position.
Meanwhile, Hundreds of thousands of people have come out on the streets all across Pakistan cities including Karachi, Hyderabad, and Lahore to celebrate Pakistan's victory against India by 54 runs in an ODI of ICC Champions Trophy at Centurion park on Saturday night, Geo news reported.
With this win Pakistan have also qualified for the semi final race by beating West Indies and now India in two consecutive matches of their group.
People in jubilation are dancing on drums doing Bhangra (traditional dance) and chanting slogans in spirit of victory.
Young boys are riding motorcycles and doing wheelies on main roads in Karachi, Lahore and Hyderabad
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