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Pakistan captain Wasim Akram produced a deadly opening burst to send India crashing to an eight-wicket defeat in the cup final here yesterday.

The left-arm seamer grabbed two wickets off successive balls in the first over of the match as Pakistan skittled India for 125 and then raced to victory with 22 overs to spare.

Akram, who chose to play despite a viral infection, trapped Sadagopan Ramesh and Rahul Dravid leg-before with his third and fourth deliveries to make India nought for two.

Mohammad Azharuddin barely survived the hat-trick as the next delivery was called a no-ball as it caught the batsman plumb in front of the wicket.

Akram finished with three for 11 as seven Indian batsmen failed to reach double figures and only Saurav Ganguly's 50 took them past 100.

Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq saw their team through after leg-spinner Anil Kumble had removed the openers.

It was Pakistan's 10th title at this desert venue. ``We were all fired up today and it showed,'' said Akram.

``I'm delighted we are back to our winning ways after losing the two previous matches against England and India. This victory highlights our strength and I'm hopeful we will go the same way when the World Cup starts next month.''

Akram was nominated the man of the final. Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who took 11 wickets in the tournament, was man of the series.

Pakistan go into the World Cup enjoying a remarkable streak in which they also won two of the three Tests in India, the inaugural Asian Test championship and the triangular one-day series against India and Sri Lanka.

India's disappointing display is likely to add vigour to calls by critics that Azharuddin be replaced as World Cup captain by his deputy, Ajay Jadeja.