India inspired by record stand

India 305-5 Pakistan 277 India win by 28 runs

Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Sidhu shared a record 231-run stand to help India to a 28-run victory over Pakistan in the Sharjah Cup one-day triangular tournament yesterday.

Both batsmen scored centuries in the second-wicket partnership as India piled up 305 for 5 from their 50 overs. Pakistan made a spirited reply, scoring 114 from their first 15 overs, but were eventually bowled out for 277 in 46.1 overs.

The 240-ball partnership between Tendulkar and Sidhu eclipsed India's previous best for any wicket in limited overs matches of 188 by Ravi Shastri and Kris Srikkanth against England at Cuttack in 1984-85.

It was also India's highest total in one-day internationals, beating the previous best of 299 for 4 against Sri Lanka in Bombay in 1986-87.

Tendulkar hit 118 off 140 balls with eight fours and two sixes while Sidhu plundered 101 off 117 balls with three fours and three sixes.

The captain, Mohammed Azharuddin, rounded off the innings by blazing 29 from just 10 balls, 24 coming from the final over bowled by Ata-ur- Rehman.

Pakistan's innings, reduced to 48 overs because of their slow over-rate, was given a flying start by Rashid Latif who came in after the early dismissal of Saeed Anwar. He scored 50 off just 31 balls with six fours and a six. The captain, Aamir Sohail, batting with a runner, made 78 off 76 deliveries before being run out, while Ijaz Ahmed and Salim Malik weighed in with 42 apiece.

SHARJAH CUP: India 305 for 5 (S R Tendulkar 118, N S Sidhu 101); Pakistan 277 (Aamir Sohail 78, Rashid Latif 50). India win by 28 runs.