Pakistan v India
Finally, a game that was over long before it was over. For the fifth time, Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss; for the third time, he put India in.
Rahul Bhattacharya
15-Apr-2005
At Lahore, March 24, 2004 (day/night). India won by 40 runs. Toss: Pakistan.
Finally, a game that was over long before it was over. For the fifth time, Inzamam-ul-Haq won
the toss; for the third time, he put India in. Sehwag, Tendulkar and Ganguly were all caught behind
trying to tickle to third man. But Laxman, whose best score against Pakistan in six one-day innings
was 20, batted 40 overs for a delicious century. India completed 293, the same total they had
chased three evenings before - despite the relative discipline of Pakistan, who conceded only 16
extras, down from their series average of 36. Pathan responded with similar discipline and
considerable swing, picking up three for 20 in an extended opening spell. When Inzamam was
wonderfully caught just inside the long-on fence, a 100th one-day catch for Tendulkar, little hope
remained for Pakistan. Shoaib Malik and Moin Khan shared an enterprising stand of 99, but
history, in the form of India's first series win in Pakistan, Test or limited-overs, beckoned. Ganguly,
who had been stretchered off with a back injury, stepped up to claim the trophy.
Man of the Match: V. V. S. Laxman. Man of the Series: Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Rahul Bhattacharya is contributing editor of Cricinfo Magazine and author of Pundits from Pakistan