Malik's 125 underpinned Pakistan's score of 299 for four with Younus Khan also contributing 59. Chasing 300 to win, India lost Gautam Gambhir early to an outstanding catch by Misbah-ul-Haq in the gully. The ball appeared to have passed the fielder but he instinctively put out a hand and the ball stuck. Rao Iftikhar was the bowler, having to come on in place of Umar Gul who left the field injured. With Shoiab Malik also off the field injured, Pakistan's bowling resources will be stretched, placing even more emphasis on their fielders to perform. Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina cashed in on Pakistan's decreased firepower, making good use of the Power Play restrictions with a flurry of boundaries, Sehwag almost hitting a six over cover off of Sohail Tanvir. It didn't take him long to find his range, twice putting Shahid Afridi into the stands while Raina was not to be undone, dancing down the pitch to dish out the same treatment to Iftikhar. He then went on to make his half-century from 40 balls, another man carrying over his form from the IPL into the international arena, following up yesterday's 66-ball century against Hong Kong with another stylish knock. Sehwag reached his half-century in 46 balls, beshadowed by Raina but as dangerous as ever, certainly in the eyes of the Pakistan attack. Sehwag smashed Afridi for another six to which Raina responded by hitting Fawad Alam over long on. Having won the toss and chosen to bat, openers Salman Butt and Malik put on 90 before Butt was brilliantly caught by Suresh Raina at short midwicket off of Piyush Chawla for 35 to put their side in a controlling position which was reinforced by a century partnership between Malik and Younus Khan and some late blows from Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq. At first fast bowlers RP Singh, Praveen Kumar and Ishant Sharma all kept things tight, with only four boundaries coming, three of them from Butt, who excels against India, in the first 12 overs. However, after a circumspect start, the pair began to expand their game and put pressure back on to India, Malik in particular looking impressive with a crushing back foot drive off of Praveen Kumar and some late deflections to the third man boundary seeing him overtake Butt, who might have been run out early on. The introduction of spinner Piyush Chawla was a signal for Malik to attack, and he hit two fours to reach his half-century and take Pakistan on to 87 without loss after 20 overs before Chawla, once again hit for four by Malik, got his reward with the wicket of Butt. Malik responded by smashing Yusuf Pathan for a six as he and Younus plundered runs at an excellent strike rate and India struggled to contain the pair, with boundaries backed up with good running and a sound understanding between the pair. Malik's century was his sixth in One Day Internationals, his third in the Asia Cup and his third against India. Younus's delightful innings was full of deft sweeps, both conventional and reverse and the stand between the pair set Pakistan up for a late innings charge with plenty of batsmen still to come. Malik was twice dropped off of Yusuf Pathan and looked to take full advantage despite suffering from cramp in the oppressive Karachi heat while Younus another player who saves his best performances for the Indians, reached his half-century soon after. The cramps eventually became too much for Shoiab, and he retired on 125 from 119 balls leaving the middle to a standing ovation from a packed crowd. Younus Khan was soon joining him in the dressing room as India finally held a high catch off of Pathan, Raina the fielder sending Younus on his way for 59. Mohammad Yousuf played some aggressive strokes before being run out by RP Singh for 30 from just 20 deliveries to maintain the home side's momentum late on while Shahid Afridi (nine) once again failed to deliver, but Misbah's unbeaten 31 kept things going. India dropped four catches in all and only RP Singh, who took one for 44 from ten overs, bowled with credit, but on a batsman-friendly pitch, this match is far from over. Both sides have already qualified for the Super Four stage of the competition and will meet again in the second stage of the tournament.
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