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Summary
Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf shared a record fourth-wicket stand to help Pakistan beat archrivals India by 54 runs at Centurion to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals. Pakistan avenged its six-year old defeat at the hand of India and rejoiced the countrymen with the thumping victory. Pakistan put on 302 for nine after winning the toss and batting before restricting their Group A rivals to 248 all out. Shoaib (128) and Yousuf (87) put on 206 in 193 balls, the biggest stand for any wicket in the Champions Trophy and a fourth-wicket record for Pakistan. After being reduced to 65 for 3, Malik and Yousaf consolidated, helping the rest of the team bat out the 50 overs. Applying the old formula of doubling the 30-over score, they accelerated from 139 for 3 after 31 overs, scoring 163 off the last 19. In reply, India looked to get off to a flyer, but young pacer Mohammad Aamir removed the veteran Tendulkar early. Gautam Ghambirs running error cost him his wicket and then Shahid Afridi got his foot in the door, removing V Kohli and MS Dhoni in quick succession. But a fifth wicket stand from Raina and Dravid kept the Indians hopes up till the last ten overs, when the Pakistani bowlers got Raina, the wicket they needed. Shoaib Malik received man of the match for his brilliant knock. Pakistan take on Australia next. The nation celebrated the victory and marched on to the roads after Pakistan beat India. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have also congratulated the national team on its victory. On the other hand, Indian Cricket Team Captain MS Dhoni said that there was no chance of any mistake for India in the coming matches. He maintained that early fall of Indian wickets caused its defeat. Dhoni believed a target of 303 runs wasnt an easy one and the fall of wickets put the Indian Team under pressure. The Indian Captain asserted that the team would forget the past mistakes and concentrate on its performance.
