Younis ton inspires hosts

Pakistan keep final hopes alive after thrilling run chase

Last updated: 2nd July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Younis ton inspires hosts

Younis: Super centurion

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Asia Cup - Phase Two
Karachi
India 308-7 Innings Complete (M S Dhoni 76, R G Sharma 58) v Pakistan 309-2 (Younus Khan 123 no, Misbah-ul-Haq 70 no, Nasir Jamshed 53)
Pakistan beat India by 8 wkts

Younis Khan blazed a magnificent century as Pakistan clinched a much needed eight-wicket win against India in the Asia Cup Super League match at the National Stadium.

Younis inspired Pakistan past their 308 target with an unbeaten knock of 123 off 117 balls to help his side to their fifth successful run chase in one-day internationals - the fourth against their arch-rivals.

The win keeps Pakistan in the tournament and leaves them hoping that India lose to Sri Lanka on Thursday. The hosts would then need to beat Bangladesh on Friday to seal their place in the final.

After winning the toss, India almost spoiled a strong start of 88 given to them by Virender Sehwag (49) and Gautum Gambhir (35).

However, a 112 fifth-wicket partnership between Dhoni (76) and Rohit Sharma (58) helped reignite the innings.

Hit back

Sehwag smashed six boundaries and two sixes during his 33-ball knock, while Gambhir hit four boundaries before Pakistan hit back taking three wickets off just nine balls in the space of three runs.

Paceman Rao Ifktihar, who finished with 3-51, dismissed Gambhir before Abdur Rauf, one of three changes in the Pakistan team, removed Sehwag and Suresh Raina (1).

Yuvraj hit four boundaries and a six in his 32-ball 37 but his dismissal left India struggling at 129-4

Sharma and Dhoni steadied the innings through their 139-ball partnership. Sharma hit four boundaries during his impressive 71-ball knock.

Dhoni miscued a heave off Sohail Tanveer in the penultimate over and was caught by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed. He added 41 for the seventh wicket with Irfan Pathan who finished unbeaten on 38.

Aggressive

Pakistan's run chase was a joy to behold. After racing to 65-0 Salman Butt (36) was run out in the eighth over.

Opener Nasir Jamshed, who came in after captain Shoaib Malik was ruled out due to dehydration, hit an aggressive 53 with nine boundaries.

When Jamshed ironically retired hurt after suffering cramps, Younis and Mohammad Yousuf (21) took Pakistan to 165 before Yousuf was bowled by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

That did not deter Younis who in company of Misbah spectacularly scythed down the imposing target to ensure Pakistan's Asian Cup winning hopes are still alive, just.

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