Another Jamshed ton ensures series win

Cricket365
January 29, 2013

Opening batsman Nasir Jamshed secured a third successive century against India, affording Pakistan a comfortable 85-run – and unassailable two-nil series lead – in Thursday's second ODI at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq's men can hold the bragging rights over their sub-continental rivals thanks to Jamshed's dominance, which was later complemented by three wickets apiece from spinner Saeed Ajmal and seamer Junaid Khan.

India, meanwhile, will rue their inability to trump a visiting attack lined with slow bowlers. Only skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared comfortable against Ajmal and company, while the rest floundered.

Jamshed, who welcomed three figures in the Asia Cup and this week's series opener, was at the fore of Pakistan's total of 250 all out. The tourists would have wanted a bigger total, given the 141-run platform afforded by opener Mohammad Hafeez (76) and the centurion.

A gradual wobble, however, allowed India 10 wickets for the addition of just 159 runs. The left-handed Jamshed's standalone 106, though not in vain, lacked enough support for a truly imposing outcome.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, was the pick of the Indian bowlers. Selected ahead of batsman Rohit Sharma, Jadeja brought a fine dynamic – and snared figures of three for 41, including the late dismissal of the talented Jamshed.

Pakistan's 250, however, was more than enough at the end of a largely one-side chase. Dhoni's 54 was as good as it got for the home side, and although it didn't reach the proportions of his heroics in Chennai, it offered some consolation.

Left-arm seamer Junaid, again, was outstanding in his extraction of lateral movement, while the opposition tail-enders had no hope in the face of Ajmal's wile and guile. Fellow slow bowlers Shoaib Malik and Hafeez, meanwhile, strangled the asking rate throughout.

India's hopes of rising to the helm of the ODI rankings with a series win have been entirely denounced, while Pakistan will eye a telling series whitewash come Sunday's third and final fixture in Delhi.