The series was all square as the two teams headed to Lahore for the third ODI. This time it was the turn of India to win the toss, and they chose to bowl.
For the second match in succession, Irfan Pathan accounted for opener Salman Butt without scoring. Pakistan found runs hard to come by, until, with the fall of the third wicket, Shoaib Malik came to the crease.
India did well to deprive him of successive partners. Mohammad Yousuf got just a single, while Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan made 16 apiece. Abdul Razzaq finally provided Malik some support, helping him add 86 for the seventh wicket.
Malik became another victim of Irfan, caught for a 120-ball 108. He struck a six and 11 fours. It was left to Razzaq to add a further 44 with the tail, helping Pakistan to a final total of 288/8. Razzaq was unbeaten on 64, having faced 56 balls, his innings containing two sixes and seven fours. Irfan took 3-49 this time and R.P. Singh 3-51.
Gautam Gambhir, replacement of Virender Sehwag for this match, was out on the second over. With Irfan out for a two-ball duck, India were in trouble at 12/2.
It was left to Sachin Tendulkar and captain Rahul Dravid to get the innings back on an even keel with a stand off 72 for the third wicket, which ended when Dravid was out for 22.
That brought Yuvraj Singh to the crease. Tendulkar and Yuvraj put on 105 for the fourth wicket. There was to be no century for Tendulkar this time – having struck a six and 16 fours, he was caught for 95 – but Yuvraj, in the company of M.S. Dhoni, saw India comfortably home.
Yuvraj made 79 not out with 10 fours, while Dhoni played a typically belligerent innings, facing just 46 balls for his 72, and striking 13 fours. India chased down their target with 14 balls still to be bowled, winning by five wickets.
Dhoni’s contribution was recognised with the Player of the Match award.