Sachin Paks'em Home

Sachin Tendulkar's majestic knock carried India to a memorable six-wicket victoryin a highly-awaited World Cup Group A contest against traditional rivals Pakistan who were left staring at an early exit from the tournament.

Tendulkar, who became the first batsman to score 12,000 runs in one-day cricket today, captivated a packed sub-continental crowd at the SuperSport Parkin Centurion with a breathtaking knock of 98 runs that saw India easily overtake Pakistan'sscore of 273 for six and ensure their place in the Super Six.

India reached 276 for four with 26 balls to spare to finish their league encounters with 20 points from six matches. Pakistan, who have eight points from five games, still have a mathematical chance to qualify for the next roundprovided they beat Zimbabwe by a huge margin in their last match.

Australia, who have 20 points with a game against England to go, have already qualified for the Super Six.

The victory in today's much-hyped game, the first between the two countries in nearly three years, maintained India'srecord of having defeated Pakistain every time the two teams have met in a World Cup.

Pakistan, who elected to bat first on a beautiful batting track, did well to reach a total of 273 for seven,mainly due to the efforts of veteran opener Saeed Anwar who chose the big occasion to come out of his recent indifferentform and crack a fine 101.

However, Tendulkar launched a stunning assault on Pakistan's celebrated pace bowlers in the first 15 overs thatnot only completely unsettled Waqar Younis and company but the resultant high run rate also ensured that the later orderIndian batsmen never had to panic.

Yuvraj Singh played another crucial knock and remained unbeaten on 50 runs in the company of Rahul Dravid who made 44not out.

However, it was Tendulkar, predictably declared the man-of-the-match, who completely dominated the proceedings withhis amazing strokeplay. All the Pakistani bowlers bore the brunt of his fury as Tendulkar wielded his bat with completecontempt.

With Virender Sehwag, who was in an equally murderous mood during his brief stay, Tendulkar put on 50 runs for the firstwicket in just five overs.

A stunning six off Shoaib Akhtar over the point region signalled the arrival of Tendulkar who sent the next two ballsfor boundaries to take 18 runs from the over, forcing Waqar to withdraw his main bowler after just one over.

Waqar introduced himself into the attack but he was not spared either, Sehwag emulating his idol in hoisting the veryfirst ball from the Pakistan captain for a six over point.

Next came the turn of Wasim Akram to take the punishment and the veteran left-hander was hit for 11 runs in his third overwhich included two square cut boundaries by Sehwag.

With both Tendulkar and Sehwag going at full steam, it looked too good a situation to be true for India. The Indianswere soon in a for a shock as Waqar brought Pakistan roaring back into the match with the successive ball dismissals ofSehwag, who made 21, and skipper Saurav Ganguly.

But Tendulkar, who smashed 13 fours and two sixes, was hardly affected. He continued in the same attacking mode andwas ably supported by Mohammad Kaif who did full justice to his promotion to the number four slot.

While Kaif concentrated on rotating the strike, Tendulkar produced some amazing strokes, picking the gaps with ease asnervousness began to show on the Pakistani fielders who indulged in a bit of misfielding and overthrows.

Tendulkar, who had raced to his half-century from just 34 balls, reached 12,000 runs in one-day cricket when he crossed83 with his 12th boundary. Soon thereafter, he suffered a hamstring injury that hampered his running between the wicketsbut even in extreme pain, he preferred not to call for a runner and continue with his innings.

Tendulkar and Kaif raised 102 runs for the fourth wicket in just 97 balls before Kaif, who made 35 with four boundaries, was bowled by Shahid Afridi off an inside edge.

Tendulkar was unfortunate to miss out on his 35th one-day hundred when he was unable to keep down a Shoaib Akhtarbouncer and caught by Younis Khan at point.

Pakistan thought they were back in the game but the Tendulkar blitzkrieg had ensured that all the later batsmenhad to do was to play their full quota of overs.

Dravid and Yuvraj took their time to settle down but did well to ensure that no more wickets fell. Slowly but steadily they kept the scoreboard moving, causing a panic in the Pakistani camp.

Dravid took 76 balls for his 44 which included only two fours while Yuvraj struck six boundaries in his 53-run knock.Victory was achieved when Dravid hit Waqar for a boundary.

Earlier, Pakistan won an important toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat. Making full use of an inaccurate Indian new ball attack, Anwar and Taufeeq Umar gave their side a flying start.

Anwar was not half as aggressive as in previous matches against India but still equally effective as he picked theruns with ease. Anwar and Umar put on 58 runs, before Zaheer Khan dislodged the stumps of Umar, who made 22, in the 11thover with a beautiful delivery.

Abdur Razzaq (12) and Inzamam-ul Haq (6) got out cheaply before Anwar raised 73 runs for the fourth wicket with YousufYouhana that set the stage for a big total for Pakistan.

Determined to come out of his woeful form, Inzamam lofted Anil Kumble for a boundary straight down the ground on thevery first ball he faced, but was run out just two balls later to earn his 35th run-out dismissal in his one-day career.

Anwar just kept going even though he looked a bit exhausted at times when pushed for quick runs by Youhana. Hetook three runs against Virender Sehwag to reach 2,000 runs against India and nudged a single in the next ball to reachhis 20th one-day hundred to catch up with Ganguly on the second spot on the list of players with maximum centuries.

PTI