Cricket

Pakistan Levels Series1-1

                      YOUNIS KHAN’s brilliant century helped Pakistan to snatch a sensational four-wicket victory in the second One-Day International in Mohali on Thursday night.

                 After India rattled up an imposing 321 for 9, with Sachin Tendulkar  stroking 99, Younis slammed 117 as the visitors overhauled the target with one ball to spare in the high-scoring cliffhanger.

Younis and Misbah-ul Haq (49) did the spadework, but it was the flamboyant Shahid Afridi (29 not out) who dramatically changed the complexion of the game with his amazing stroke-play in the dying moments.

At one stage it looked as if the Indians would scrape through, but the charged-up Pakistanis made amends for a mid-innings slump largely because of the efforts of Younis and Misbah, who put on 102 runs for the fifth wicket.

Needing six runs off the last over, Afridi did not disappoint his colleagues in the dressing room and the visitors ultimately got past the target with one ball to spare.

Earlier, Tendulkar was distinctly unlucky to be dismissed for 99, the third time since the series against South Africa, but not before giving glimpses of his vintage stroke-play that laid the foundation for the commanding Indian total.

He found an able ally in Gautam Gambhir  (57) and the two stitched a record 173-run second-wicket partnership at the floodlit PCA stadium.

 The victory helped Pakistan level the series1-1.