LAHORE, 14 February 2006 — Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a breezy 95 off 104 balls, led India to its second successive win in the one-day series as they defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the third ODI here yesterday.

The victory gave India 2-1 lead over Pakistan in the five-match series after the home team won the opening game by seven runs and India came back strongly with a seven-wicket win at Rawalpindi on Saturday.

Tendulkar, who had scored 100 in the first one-dayer in Peshawar and 42 in the second, missed a century but anchored India to victory. He was ably-supported by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and stylish left-hander Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni (72) and Singh (79) added 102 runs for the unbeaten sixth wicket partnership to ensure another convincing win for India.

Earlier, Pakistan made 288 for eight from 50 overs thanks to a fighting century by Shoaib Malik and a scintillating knock from Abdul Razzaq.

About 3,000 Indian fans, who had crossed the border over the last two days to watch the day-night game here, got an early jolt to their team’s run-chase when fast bowler Mohammad Asif removed opener Gautam Gambhir and Irfan Pathan in space of three deliveries.

It was then that Tendulkar consolidated the innings when he added 72 runs with captain Rahul Dravid (22) and then put on 105 Singh off only 94 balls.

Pakistan lost an ideal opportunity to get rid of Tendulkar on 36 when wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal could not hold on to a catch down the leg-side before the master blaster cut lose and hammered 16 fours and a six.

Dhoni and Singh took charge after Tendulkar’s departure in the 34th over when India still needed 100 runs for victory from 16 overs. But it was Dhoni who dominated the show in the match-winning stand with Singh. The two smashed 102 runs off 79 balls to see India home.

Pakistan got an early jolt when opener Salman Butt edged one from Irfan Pathan as Gambhir in slips just managed to hold on to the catch. Shahid Afridi, who was sent to open the innings also did not last long, giving Pathan his second wicket of the match. Akmal was joined by Malik and the two added 36 runs for the third wicket.

After Akmal’s departure at 75, Pakistan lost their three top batsmen, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam ul-Huq and Younis Khan for the addition of just 83 runs. The home team was struggling at 158 for six when Malik and Razzaq took up the salvage operation.

Malik, who scored 90 and 95 in the previous two games, hit 11 fours and a six in his 108 which came off 120-balls. This was his fifth century in his 110th limited-overs game. Razzaq belted seven boundaries and hit two successive sixes off Pathan in his unbeaten knock of 64 off 56 balls as Pakistan scored 89 runs in the last 10 overs.

Malik was finally caught by Dravid in the 46th over, but Razzaq’s late assault gave Pakistan a fighting total.

Indian fielders floored at least four catches that included the crucial catch of Malik when he was 12, who was dropped by Ghambir.

Fast bowler Sri Sreesanth could have got three wickets, but Mohammad Kaif, Dravid and Gambhir all spilled chances in the slip cordon.

The fourth match will be played at Multan on Feb. 16 before the series ends at Karachi on Feb. 19.