AHMEDABAD, India, 13 April 2005 — Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq pulled off a thrilling last-ball win over India with an unbeaten half-century in the fourth One-Day International yesterday.
Inzamam scored 60, hitting the winning runs after Shahid Afridi (40 off 23 balls), Salman Butt (48), Abdul Razzaq (44) and Shoaib Malik (65) had kept the visitors in the hunt despite India’s mammoth 315 for six from the allotted 48 overs. Pakistan finished on 319 for seven, their highest-ever run chase to level the series 2-2 amidst heavy security in the main city of the western Gujarat state, which had witnessed the country’s worst religious riots in a decade in 2002. The key to their victory was methodical play between the 15th and 35th overs, in which Pakistan made 123 runs with just four boundaries, not taking any risks.
They needed three off the last six balls but Sachin Tendulkar bowled a magnificent final over, conceding only two runs before Inzamam steered him through the off-side for four.
Tendulkar had earlier struck a flawless 123 for his 38th century to give India their imposing total. The 31-year-old hammered 12 fours and two sixes in the process. Tendulkar has long held the world records for runs and hundreds in one-day cricket. He got India off to a flyer, flicking his first ball for four and then tucking pace bowler Mohammad Sami to the mid-wicket boundary. Opening partner Virender Sehwag hit seamer Rana Naved for two fours in an over as India raced to 39 in five overs after electing to bat following an hour’s delay due to a wet pitch. Sehwag was run out for 29 but Mahendra Dhoni (47) batted aggressively in a 129-run second-wicket stand with Tendulkar, who raised his 50 with a single to long-off.
One of Tendulkar’s sixes soared over long-on and landed on the head of an unsuspecting TV cameraman, who had to be taken off his post.
Tendulkar got to his century off 104 balls but then had to bat with a runner because of cramps brought on by intense heat.
Captain Saurav Ganguly scored a shaky 33-ball 18 before he was run out while attempting a needless single to short fine-leg. Yuvraj Singh struck some lusty blows in his 26-ball cameo of 35 to take India past 300.
Shahid Afridi gave Pakistan a blazing start, hitting paceman Ashish Nehra over mid-wicket for two sixes in a fiery 68-run opening stand.
The visitors were coasting at 253 for three in the 39th over but quick wickets got India back into the game. Pakistan still stayed within striking distance, needing 35 from six overs, 29 from five and 21 from four before it all came down to a dramatic final six balls.
