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Pakistan won the toss and decided to field despite the fact that the pitch of Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar is considered favourable for batting and we are sloppy in chasing runs.

Pakistan went into field without Shoaib Akhtar. Umar Gul was included in side and Arshad Khan was the SuperSub. Indian start was shocking when Sehwag nicked a ball from Muhammad Asif to Kamran Akmal. After that Tendulkar, Pathan and Dhoni hammered the bowlers around. Umar Gul was substituted after he gave 35 runs in 3 runs.

India managed to make 327 runs for 9 wickets. Indian innings included 65 from Pathan, 68 from Dhoni and a fine 100 from the Little Master. Pakistani bowling stats were not very impressive. Although Rana Naveed got 4 wickets but Muhammad Asif was the pick of bowlers for his 30 for 3. Arshad Khan, the supersub, gave 35 runs in 5 overs and picked 2 wickets.

Pakistani start was good especially Salman Butt showed agression where as Shoaib Malik built his innings slowly. The second wicket scored 151 runs. Salman Butt made 101 and Shoaib got out on 90 runs. At that point Pakistan had a strong grip on the game and indians were just going through the motions but the middle order fumbled and wickets started to fall like crazy. Pakistan was 201 for 2 at one stage, went to 299 for 7 including a bizzare wicket of Inzamam. Fortunately the light interferred in the game and play was stooped due to bad lights. The decision came through Duckworth and Lewis method and hence Pakistan won by the match 7 runs.

Technorati Tags: Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Asif