India wins low-scoring battle; Pakistan fails to whitewash the arch rivals

Pakistan failed to make a clean sweep of the three-match One-day International series against their arch rivals India losing the third and final ODI International by ten runs in a sensational way here at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground.

Pakistan restricted India to 167 in 43.4 overs but failed to chase the total as India bowled them out at 157 in 48.5 overs with a fantastic bowling and fielding display.

India captain MS Dhoni, who was fit to play after doubts earlier that he might be excluded from the team because of a back injury, won the toss and elected to bat first in chilly conditions. Virender Sehwag was replaced by Ajinkya Rahane while Ashok Dinda made way for debutant Shami Ahmed.

Saeed Ajmal went on to wreak havoc to India’s batting line-up, taking his career best figures of 24-5, dismissing Ravichandran Ashwin, Rajindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma.

Umar Gul, despite bowling some of the more expensive overs of the match, took the important wicket of India’s captain at 36 to halt the the hosts’ march towards a bigger total.

India’s young sensation Bhuvneshwar Kumar spoiled Pakistan’s start with a double strike. Kumar reduced Pakistan to 14 for two by claiming Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan in consecutive overs.

Though Nasir Jamshed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal offered some resistance, the Indian bowlers turned the tide in India’s favour in the death overs to win the third and final one-dayer.

Pakistani skipper Misbal-ul-Haq said, “We missed a huge opportunity for a clean sweep, especially after getting them out for a low total. But credit goes to the Indian bowlers and fielders. They exploited the conditions better than us and saved at least 35 runs in the field which proved to be the main difference.”

Indian captain MS Dhoni, too labelled his side’s fielding a major factor in the match going India’s way. There was a dropped catch, but diving efforts and a Suresh Raina direct hit ensured the hosts managed to drill out a consolation win.

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Posted by Web Desk on Jan 7 2013. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.