The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sabbir Hossain

Pakistan clinched the Championship of the Kitply Cup Tri-Nation ODI Cricket Tournament when they beat India by 25 runs in a hard-fought final match at the flood-lit Mirpu Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan piled up a mammonth 315 for the loss of three wickets in the regulation 50 overs.

In reply, India were bowled out for 290 off 48.1 overs.

Skipper MS Dhoni remained undefeated with 64 off 58 balls including three fours and two huge sixes while Yuvraj Singh hit a fine 56 playing 69 deliveries amid 5 fours and a six. Omar Gul scalped 4 for 67.

Earlier, two splendid centuries from Salman Butt and Younus Khan powered Pakistan to notch up 315 for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 50 overs against India.

After dismissal of opener Kamran Akmal when the team's score was 34 for the loss of one wicket, opener Salman Butt and Younus Khan salvaged their team from debacle adding together 205 runs in the second wicket stand.

Salman Butt retired hurt making 129 facing 136 balls which innings was laced with 12 boundaries and three over boundaries.

Younus Khan cracked 108 off 99 balls. He hit eight fours and three sixes before he was caught by Virendar Sehwag off Ishant Sharma when Pakistan's score was 239 for the loss of two wickets.

Salman Butt fulfilled his century from 121 balls while Younus Khan fulfilled his century using 92 balls.

Later, Misbah-ul-Haq was caught at mid on by Rohit Sharma off Irfan Pathan hitting 33 playing 21 deliveries amid four fours and one six.

Left-arm medium pacer Irfan Pathan was his team's most successful bowler with two wickets at the cost of 59 runs.

Ishant Sharma took one wicket conceding 57 runs.