With both teams having won a match, the sides met again in the third ODI, in Peshawar.
Again, Pakistan won the toss, but, this time, they decided to field. They enjoyed almost immediate success when they got Sachin Tendulkar, the star of the last ODI for India, off the ninth ball of the innings without scoring. Virender Sehwag fell for 13 and V.V.S. Laxman just 3, leaving India struggling at 37/3.
Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly then put on 68 before Ganguly fell for 39, having struck a six and five fours. Dravid then added 34 with Yuvraj Singh before falling for 33. Mohammad Kaif followed soon, but Yuvraj was able to form mini-partnerships with Ramesh Powar, Irfan Pathan and L. Balaji. He finally fell off the second ball of the last over, having made 65, including a six and seven fours. His efforts had helped India close on 244/9.
Shabbir Ahmed was the most successful of the Pakistan bowlers with 3-33.
There was always the feeling that was not going to be enough. So it proved, although Pakistan owed a big debt to opener Yasir Hameed, who set them on their way by making 98 off 116 balls, including 17 fours.
None of the top order supported him. As a result, when Hameed fell on 173/6, there was still a great deal or work to be done if Pakistan wanted to win the game.
However, Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan came then added an unbroken stand of 74. Razzaq was 53 not out at the end, and Moin on 22, Pakistan reaching their target with four wickets and more than two overs in hand.
Pakistan went two-one up in the series. Hameed’s efforts were rewarded with the Player of the Match award.