Smells Like Team Spirit

ABU DHABI

Virender Sehwag overcame his worst slump in form to play a vital role inIndia's emphatic 51-run series-equalling win in the two-match DLF Cup one-daycricket tournament against Pakistan here today.

It was a remarkable turnaround by the Indians after their 6-wicket defeat inthe first match yesterday and their efforts ensured they returned home withhonours even.

After scoring a competitive 269 for 5, India bowled out Pakistan for 218 in45.2 overs to register their 18th win in last 24 matches. It was also India's25th win at a neutral venue against Pakistan who have played each other 64times. Pakistan have won 37 while there have been two no results.

The Indian victory was set up by the batsmen and especially the 138-runpartnership between Sehwag and Rahul Dravid who once again led by example with afine 92.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni also joined the party with a 59 while Yuvraj Singhprovided the late thrust with a cameo 10-ball 24.

The total was never going to be easy to chase on a tricky Zayed Stadium trackand other than Inzamam-ul Haq (79) and Shoaib Malik (45), none of the Pakistanibatsmen could stand up to the challenge.

Irfan Pathan and Ramesh Powar starred for the hosts with the ball, claimingthree wickets each to take the wind out of Pakistan's sails.

Pakistan's chase began on a shaky note as they lost opener Imran Farhat toIrfan Pathan for 8, the leg before dismissal giving Pathan his 100th wicket inone-dayers.

The Baroda paceman struck again in his very next over, this time getting rid ofthe destructive Shahid Afridi (0) who was promoted up the order for some pinchhitting. The dashing batsman failed to read the good length delivery pitched onthe middle and off stump line and tried to drive it away from body, only to seethe ball uproot the middle stump in a spectacular fashion.

With Pakistan being reduced to 31-2, Younis Khan walked in to a huge uproarfrom the crowd but the vice-captain failed to weave his magic this time, beingcaught by a diving Dhoni off Ajit Agarkar for 5.

The onus fell on skipper Inzamam-ul Haq, who was extremely lucky to survivetwo very close leg before appeals, to resurrect the innings.

He did steady the innings somewhat in company of Shoaib Malik with a 46-runstand for the fourth wicket before the opener was sent back by a brilliantdiving catch by Yuvraj Singh at square leg. Malik made 46 off 70 balls with fivefours.

Pakistan would have been in deeper trouble when Inzamam holed out in the deepoff Ramesh Powar but Harbhajan Singh failed to judge the catch.

However, Powar was rewarded for his efforts in the same over when he had anout of sorts Mohammad Yousuf caught by Suresh Raina for 5.

Unperturbed by the regular fall of wickets, Inzamam completed his 50 with afour off the first ball by Harabhajan but saw Kamran Akmal being dismissed fourdeliveries later, the scoreboard reading 147-6.

Pakistan lost another wicket for the addition of just one run when Abdul Razzaqholed out to substitute Mohammad Kaif to gift Powar his third wicket. And whenInzamam was run out for 79 (91 balls, 5x4, 1x6) in the 43rd over, the doors wereeffectively shut for Pakistan.

Earlier, it was a complete reversal of the script from yesterday's match asthe very Indian batsmen who looked pedestrian, turned it around to put in aperformance worthy of their staggering reputations.

While Dravid led from the front with his 116-ball knock, Dhoni chipped inwith 59.

Yuvraj Singh provided the late flourish with a cameo 24 off 10 balls thatincluded a hattrick of boundaries and a six off one over by Mohammad Asif.

However, the most heartening performance for the Indians was the show up theorder by Sehwag who slammed 10 fours and a six in his 83-ball knock and raised138 runs with his opening partner Dravid to lay the foundation for a big Indiantotal.

The Pakistani bowlers, sent on a leather chase for most part of the innings,staged a late comeback to claim the wickets of Dravid, Dhoni and Yuvraj to putthe brakes on Indian scoring.

India were off to a subdued start after Dravid won the toss and elected tobat again, conceding three maidens on the trot against the new ball duo of Asifand Rana Naved-ul Hasan (2/45).

It was Dravid who scored the first four, a wristy shot off Rana Naved-ul HAsanthat raced down the gap between mid on and mid wicket, to break the shackles andSehwag followed suit, hitting Asif for two fours in an over. Sehwag, coming intothe match after being dropped for two games, hit the same bowler for anothercouple of fours to regale the Indian supporters in the stands.

With the opening duo dealing in mainly fours, the run rate shot up as Indiaraced to 69 for no loss in 15 overs.

The Delhi batsman completed his 21st ODI 50 and 5th against Pakistan with asingle and raised his bat skywards to celebrate his return to form.

After taking India to 100 in 20 overs, the duo opened up further, renderingall the bowlers ineffective in the process.

Dravid also completed his 50, 71st in ODIs and 13th against the archrivals,off 60 balls with the help of 8 fours.

Sehwag continued to provide ample entertainment, despatching an Abdul Razzaqdelivery over the long-off fence for a huge six but just when he looked all setfor the three figure score, he was ensnared by part time spinner Shahid Afridi,the ball crashing on to the stumps after beating the batsman comprehensively.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni duly took the baton from Sehwag and kept the scoreboardticking by his improvised shotmaking.

The Jharkhand batsman quickly reached his 50 off just 55 balls and his 90-runpartnership with Dravid came to an end when the Indian skipper inside edged anAsif delivery on to his stumps.

(PTI)