After all the drama of the second ODI, which had seen Pakistani batter Inzamam ul-Haq physically assault a spectator who had been taunting him, the third ODI was a more restrained affair, despite Inzamam serving the first of a two-game ban for his role in that incident.
The first match, on 17 September, produced no result because of bad weather. Rain had initially restricted the Pakistan innings to 31.5 overs. They scored 169/3, Saeed Anwar top-scoring with 74.
India’s target was further reduced to 141 in 25 overs. But with rain returning, all further play for the day had to be abandoned.
Fortunately, there was room in the schedule for the two teams to return the next day for a replay.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to field. At 23/3, India were in trouble, but Rahul Dravid scored a patient 25, and Mohammad Azharuddin gave the innings some substance, scoring 67, including four fours. Late impetus came from Ajay Jadeja, who hit two sixes, and Robin Singh, who got 32 off just 29 balls, including two sixes. Their combined efforts helped India reach 182/6.
Pakistan made a good start to their reply, Anwar and Shahid Afridi putting on 52 for the first wicket. Anwar was out for 22, but Afridi went on to make 44.
But then India found an unexpected bowling hero in Sourav Ganguly, normally noted for bowling gentle seamers. He managed to exploit the overhead conditions to get the ball to swing. Not only did he take career best figures of 5-16, but also bowled three maidens into the bargain.
Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 45 runs, slumping from 103/3 to 148. Their innings came to an end in the 37th over.
India won by 34 runs, extending their lead in the series to three-nil.