The magnificent pint-sized master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar tore the Zimbabwean attack to shreds and a packed holiday crowd got its money's worth as India romped home to a smashing 10-wicket win. So infectious was Tendulkar's pyrotechnics that Saurav Ganguly too joined the party towards the latter part of his innings.

It was India's second successive title triumph in Sharjah and once again Tendulkar had a major role to play in it. Indeed, the Mumbai batsman's amazing ability to come good on big occasions was the icing on the cake after the bowlers had done their job earlier in the afternoon.

Zimbabwe, put in, were restricted to just 196. But any hopes they had of pulling the rug from underneath the Indians' feet was dashed as Tendulkar went berserk with the willow andfashioned a 10-wicket win.

Henry Olonga, the dread-locked Zimbabwe fast bowler who had caused so much damage on Wednesday, was simply smashed out of sight by Tendulkar. The opener batted as if he had a personal score to settle with the Zimbabwean quickie. Boundaries blazed off his willow as he drove, pulled and cut Olonga to ribbons in the opening overs.

Tendulkar today used the bat like a bludgeon. There was little finesse in his approach. It was savagery that was most apparent as his first 10 boundary hits (six fours and four sixes) were all played in the air. It was only after he reached his 50 off a mere 28 deliveries (four sixes and five fours) that he played the first carpet driven boundary off Neil Johnson. Until then it seemed like he was in a frenzy and the capacity crowd quickly caught on to his mood and cheered him on.

His 21st century in one-day internationals came off just 71 balls and contained 10 fours and five sixes. It also got him Rs 10,00,000 from the sponsor of thetournament.

There were two distinct phases in Tendulkar's batting today. In the first 15 overs, when the field was in, he went hell for leather. India made 112 runs in this period. He slowed down as he neared the century mark. His second 50, in fact took 43 deliveries.

Tendulkar had a let off when on 53. Leg-spinner Paul Strang, who was clobbered for two sixes and a four in that over, induced Tendulkar to mishit in the same over. But the resultant high catch was spilt at short mid-on as both Strang and wicket-keeper Andy Flower went for the catch and clashed. That was the only chance offered by the blazing Tendulkar today. He finished with an unbeaten 124 (92 balls, 12 fours, six sixes) while his partner in the mayhem, Saurav Ganguly remained unbeaten on 63.

Earlier, Zimbabwe's recovery was almost miraculous. Tottering at a miserable 81 for six from 19 overs, they clawed their way to a final total of 196 for 9 from 50 overs.

Craig Wishart (18) and Paul Strang added 35 runs for the seventh wicket totake the team past the 100 mark. Then Eddo Brandes (33) struck a few lusty blows and with Strang added a further 58 runs to bring some semblance of respectability to the Zimbabwe total.

Strang held the lower order together but the Indian bowlers once again did a very competent job.

Skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, returning to the team after a one-match rest, opted to field first and was rewarded almost immediately by the persevering Ajit Agarkar. The Mumbai paceman dismissed the Zimbabwe skipper Alistair Campbell with his very first delivery when he had him caught at point off an attempted square drive.

Neil Johnson was dropped in the slips by Azharuddin, but Srinath was not to be denied. Off the very next delivery, he had Grant Flower very well caught at fine leg by Agarkar. A little later, Murray Goodwin was trapped in front with an express delivery. By now, Zimbabwe's challenge lay in shambles.

It was a sweet victory for India, one that should be a great morale booster ahead of their tour of NewZealand next month.

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe: Alistair Campbell c Ganguly b Agarkar 2 (5b); Grant Flower c Agarkar b Srinath 18 (31b, 2x4); Neil Johnson c & b Chopra 34 (46b, 2x4); Murray Goodwin lbw Srinath 2 (9b); Andy Flower b Kumble 19 (26b, 2x4); Craig Wishart c Tendulkar b Joshi 18 (25b, 1x6); Heath Streak lbw Kumble 0 (1b); Paul Strang lbw Srinath 46 (91b, 3x4); Eddo Brandes b Tendulkar 33 (46b, 1x6, 2x4); A Whittal not out 10 (20b); Henry Olonga not out 0 (2b); Extras: (7lb, 3nb, 4w) 14. Total: (for 9 in 50 overs) 196

Fall Of Wickets: 1-8 (Campbell); 2-36 (Grant Flower); 3-44 (Goodwin); 4-77 (Johnson); 5-81 (Andy Flower); 6-81 (Streak); 7-116 (Wishart); 8-174 (Brandes); 9-194 (Strang)

Bowling: Srinath 10-1-40-3 (1nb); Agarkar 10-1-36-1 (2nb, 2w); Kumble 10-1-29-2; Chopra 7-0-32-1; Joshi 9-1-36-1 (2w); Tendulkar 4-0-16-1.

India: Saurav Ganguly not out 63 (90b, 4x4, 3x6); Sachin Tendulkar not out 124 (92b, 12x4, 6x6); Extras: (lb2, w6, nb2) 10. Total(for no loss in 30 overs) 197.

Bowling: Brandes 2-0-9-0 (1w); Olonga 6-0-50-0 (4w, 1nb); Johnson 4-0-18-0 (1w, 1nb); Strang 5-0-45-0; Streak 4-0-17-0; Whittal 6-0-28-0; Grant Flower 3-0-28-0.

Man Of The Match & Series: Sachin Tendulkar