Cricket: Pakistan Defeat India To Lift Title!

Pakistan was clearly the 'underdog' going into the final of the Trination Series in Bangladesh, but they overcame their rivals to lift the Kitply Cup Trophy.

Shoaib Malik won to the toss and decided to bat first. Kamran Akmal fell early, but Younis Khan and Salman Butt went together for a 205 run partnership during which both completed their centuries.

Salman Butt was later retired hurt for 129, while Younis Khan was caught by Sehwag of Ishant Sharma for 108.

Misbah Ul Haq delivered with a fiery cameo of 33 while Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were unbeaten on 10 and 11 respectively at the end of the innings when Pakistan finished at 315/3.

India came out positive, but suffered the loss of Virender Sehwag early, who fell to Sohail Tanvir. Gautam Gambhir (40) and Rohit Sharma (24) got together for a partnership which was threatning Pakistan until Umar Gul got rid of the duo.

Yusuf Pathan (25) perished attempting one too many pull shots caught by Younis Khan of Rao Ifitikhar at midwicket.

Shahid Afridi struck to get rid of Yuvraj Singh which almost put India out of the game.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Irfan Pathan tried to form a partnership which kept India in the game, but Pathan fell trying to hit Iftikhar out of the park and Dhoni fell in the second last over trying to hit Shahid Afridi for a six, Piyush Chawla and Praveen Kumar had been unable to support him.

India fell 25 runs short and Pakistan lifted the trophy which will give them a lot of confidence and the psychological edge going into the Asia Cup.

The Greenshirts fielded very well, especially Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam and Shahid Afridi but credit must be given to Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Singh Dhoni for ensuring we saw a fiercely competed final.