Pakistan vs India 2007/08 (Part Four)

Mar 14, 2022

Pakistan vs India 2007/08 (Part Four) Image

The fourth ODI, the last of Sourav Ganguly's career, took place in Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. Despite losing Salman Butt to the second ball of the day, they made a good start with Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan putting on 78 for the first wicket.

After Malik departed for 31, Yousuf and Mohammad Yousuf shared a partnership of 51, before Younis was caught and bowled for 68 with a six and five fours to his name.

Shahid Afridi departed cheaply, but Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq them added 94 more were added before Misbah was out for 40, having struck a six.

Yousuf added 15 more with Sohail Tanvir and was still batting at the end, finishing agonisingly short of his century on 99 not out. He had faced 104 balls, and struck two sixes and seven fours.

Ganguly’s ODI career finished on a flat note, as he made only five. Gautam Gambhir was also out cheaply, but Sachin Tendulkar was on hand to steady the innings. He put on 107 for the third wicket with Virender Sehwag, who made 43, including a six, before being run out for 43.

Two overs later, Tendulkar’s innings also came to an end. He had faced 102 balls for his 97, and scored 16 fours.

Yuvraj Singh and his captain M.S. Dhoni ensured there would be no further alarms for the home fans, as they shared an unbeaten stand of 101 for the fifth wicket. India reached their target with still 21 balls to be bowled.

Yuvraj was 53 not out at the end, with a six and four fours against his name. Dhoni, who also hit a six, was unbeaten on 43.

Tendulkar was named Player of the Match, although it could equally have gone to Yousuf, had his effort not been in a losing cause.

India had taken an unassailable lead in the series.