But for the brave and disciplined stand between the two batsmen, Pakistan would have been dismissed for a total less than 200, after Wasim Akram won the toss and elected to make first use of the wicket. The way left-hand opener Saeed Anwar (rested for the previous game against England) started the proceedings, it looked as if the Indian bowlers would have a hard day ahead of them. Anwar punished Agarkar (playing his first match in the competition) for two boundaries in the bowler's thirdover. But the batsman's exuberance was cut short as Jadeja ran a few metres from mid-on to complete a high catch behind the bowler.

The Indian fielders once again showed their agility and quick reflexes and Jadeja led the way with two catches and a run out. He also took two wickets in the 50th over (in the space of two balls) to cut short the Pakistani innings.

If the run outs of Afridi and Inzamam were due to misunderstanding among the batsmen, the Indian fielders rose to the occasion and put the Pakistanis under pressure. Ijaz Ahmed lasted 13 balls and struck one boundary before Kumble had him leg before with his first delivery.

Wasti, responsible for Inzamam's run out (failing to respond to the call) added 60 for the fifth wicket with Malik.

but it was the stand between Malik and Moin that steered Pakistan to a total that looked unlikely in the middle overs. All the Indian bowlers were economical and were fully supported by the fielders. Dravid kept wickets for almost 27 overs as Mongia had toretire with a stiff neck, having collided with Afridi while effecting the run out.

In the end, when Moin, who made several improvised shots, mostly sweeps off the spinners, was looking dangerous, Jadeja brought himself on and claimed two wickets in his third over (last of the innings).

In the morning, India dropped Javagal Srinath and Saurav Ganguly, who were suffering from hamstring and groin problems, respectively. Agarkar and Amay Khurasia came in their place. Pakistan brought back Saeed Anwar for Arshad Khan.

Pakistan: Afridi run out 5, Anwar c Jadeja b Agarkar 25, Wasti c Jadeja b Agarkar 37, Ijaz lbw Kumble 8, Inzamam run out (Ramesh to bowler Kumble) 4, Malik c Dravid b Prasad 50, Moin c Joshi b Jadeja 54, Akram run out (Jadeja) 1, Azhar c Robin b Jadeja 6, Saqlain not out 1, Akhtar not out 2, Extras (lb7, nb5): 12.
Total (for 9 wickets in 50 overs): 205.
Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Afridi, 3.2), 2-34 (Anwar, 8), 3-45 (Ijaz, 11.1), 4-50 (Haq, 13.5), 5-110 (Wasti),6-183 (Malik, 46.4), 7-184 (Akram, 47.1), 8-200 (Azhar, 49.2), 9-202 (Moin, 49.4).

Bowling: Prasad 10-0-45-1, Agarkar 10-1-41-2, Kumble 10-3-27-1, Robin 10-1-26-0, Joshi 7-0-40-0, Jadeja 3-0-19-2.