Monday, 28 September 2009

Pakistan beat arch-rivals India in Champions

. Monday, 28 September 2009

(CNN) -- Shoaib Malik scored a brisk century as Pakistan beat arch-rivals India by 54 runs in their Champions Trophy clash in South Africa on Saturday.

Shahid Afridi is congratulated after claiming a wicket in the Pakistan win.

Shahid Afridi is congratulated after claiming a wicket in the Pakistan win.

Man-of-the-match Malik blasted 128 for his seventh hundred in one-day internationals for Pakistan as they ran up an impressive 302-9 at Centurion Park.

India were up with the run rate but lost wickets at regular intervals to fall to 248 in reply.

Recalled veteran Rahul Dravid battled to 76, but his run out after a mix-up with Harbahjan Singh signaled the end of his side's chances.

Gautam Gambhir made 57 and Suresh Raina 46, but Pakistan's bowlers hit back at regular intervals.

Pakistan have now one both their matches in the four-team group, while Australia beat the West Indies by 50 runs in their earlier game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg earlier on Saturday.

India and the West Indies have yet to open their account with the top two teams going through to the semifinals after the group round-robin.

Lower order batsman Mitchell Johnson blasted 73 not out as Australia totaled 275 in their 50 overs. Captain Ricky Ponting made 79.

An understrength West Indies side were always struggling despite half centuries from Travis Dowlin and Andre Fletcher.

Pakistan accounted for the West Indies in their opening match and owed their big total to a stand of 206 between Malik and Mohammad Yousuf (87) - a record for the fourth wicket against India in one-day internationals.

India were up against it from the start as star batter Sachin Tendulkar fell in the fifth over to 17-year-old paceman Mohammad Aamer.

Gambhir responded with a string of boundaries, but he was run out following a mix-up with Dravid.

Raina also batted superbly with two sixes and five fours, but he was trapped leg-before wicket to Saeed Ajmal, who with fellow spinner Shahid Afridi exacted a stranglehold on the Indian battling line-up in excellent spells


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