CALCUTTA, India, 14 November 2004 — Salman Butt struck a maiden one-day century as Pakistan beat India by six wickets yesterday in their first match on Indian soil in more than five years.

Butt, in his sixth one-dayer, scored 108 not out off 130 balls out of a total of 293 for four.

Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq added 75 to guide Pakistan home in front of nearly 100,000 people in a game celebrating the Indian cricket board’s 75th anniversary.

The 20-year-old Butt, who cracked 13 fours, had retired hurt on 68 with cramp but returned to seal the result with an over to spare as India’s bowlers struggled with the dew under lights at the Eden Gardens.

All rounder Shoaib Malik added 61 for his ninth one-day half-century.

Yuvraj Singh had earlier struck a blistering 78, with 10 fours and two sixes, as India posted 292 for six. Opener Virender Sehwag had given India early momentum with a quickfire 53.

In 2000, the Indian government banned all home and away cricket against Pakistan due to political tensions over the disputed region of Kashmir but relented in 2003 after a thaw in relations. India toured Pakistan earlier this year. Pakistan’s return trip for a full series is scheduled for February next year.

India began their innings sedately after electing to bat but Sehwag got into his stride after Sachin Tendulkar (16) was run out whilst attempting a sharp single.

Sehwag cracked six fours and two sixes but it was Vangipurappu Laxman, with a run-a-ball 43, who dominated a stand of 82 for the second wicket with some sweetly timed on-drives.

The pair took India to 111 for one in just the 20th over before all rounder Shahid Afridi, bowling leg-spin, raised Pakistani hopes by dismissing both batsmen in quick succession.

But captain Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid (16) cautiously steadied the innings before Yuvraj launched his onslaught.

Yuvraj put on 74 with Ganguly (48) and added another 53 for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Kaif.

The 22-year-old was particularly harsh on Mohammad Sami, who went for 51 from his six overs, and continued to pile on the runs before his dismissal with just one ball remaining.

Pakistan wobbled early in their reply when Zaheer Khan removing Younis Khan for a duck, caught at first slip while pushing at a ball that angled away. But Malik and Butt took the initiative with a second-wicket stand of 113, keeping pace with the required run rate as Pakistan stayed in the hunt. Malik hit occasional spinner Sehwag for a six and a four off consecutive balls but fell in the same over, caught at short mid-wicket when he checked his drive.

Inzamam made an uncharacteristic start to his innings on a slowish pitch, facing 41 balls before scoring his first boundary.

However, the 34-year-old from Multan soon got into his rhythm, collecting 15 runs in an over from Tendulkar and racing to his 73rd one-day half-century in his 328th match.

Test Discard MacGill Puts Skids Under New Zealand

In Sydney, Australia Test discard Stuart MacGill completed match figures of 8-109 yesterday as New Zealand’s batting line-up collapsed against New South Wales for a second time in their only warm-up game for next week’s first Test in Brisbane.

Leg spinner MacGill took 4-52 as New Zealand were skittled for 201. Set 129 to win, the home side reached 25 for no wicket at the close of play on the third day of the four-day game. New South Wales had posted a first innings lead of 73 when they were all out for 286 three overs into yesterday’s play after resuming on 278 for eight.

New Zealand’s Mathew Sinclair then hit a fine 79 to add to his first innings of 88, sharing an opening stand of 110 with Mark Richardson, who was bowled by MacGill for 50.