Pakistan win, Indian fans left in disgust Rajiv Kumar - 8 April 1999 CricInfo report

For the fourth consecutive time India lost in pathetic fashion to Pakistan. Set a formidable target of 279 runs, the Indian batsmen were left dazed and confused by top quality pace bowling. Also the fact that Kambli, Chopra, Mongia and Khurasiya were sick before the start of the match did not help the Indian cause.

Once again Wasim Akram won the toss and elected to bat first. Saeed Anwar did not last long. In the third over, Anwar pushed the ball to mid-off and set of for a non-existent single. Kumble picked up the ball and fired into the stumps. Anwar was run out by a foot.

Ijaz Ahmed, following his brilliant knock against England, decided to blast the Indian attack to Mars! He smashed some of the biggest sixes ever seen at Sharjah. He swung the bat at everything and was very successful against Prasad. Afridi at the other end was relatively quiet.

Just when Ijaz seemed set to make another huge score he was trapped plumb in front by Kumble. Ijaz's whirlwind knock of 38 came of just 34 balls. Kumble was without doubt the best Indian bowler. He showed a lot of variation and discipline. After 15 overs, Pakistan were 79/2.

Inzamam was once again in great form. He played a great innings of 107 of 115 balls. He batted through the innings until he was out in the final over. This happened to be his fourth consecutive 50-plus knock. After 30 overs Pakistan were 130/3.

While initially Inzamam was cautious in his approach, he began to plunder the bowling in the latter stages of the innings. In the 43rd he hit Sunil Joshi for 18 runs, which included a brilliant inside-out six over cover. Inzamam built very good partnerships with Afridi (38 runs) and Youhana (140 runs). Youhana, in particular was impressive, making a patient 57 runs of 81 balls. Some lusty hits from Akram towards the end helped Pakistan set a formidable total of 279.

Very little can be said about the Indian batting performance. It was disappointing and spirit-less. The world-class Pakistani pace attack tormented the Indian batsman.

Openers Ramesh and Ganguly lacked the technique, temperament and imagination to deal with Shoaib Akhthar and Wasim Akram. After 8 overs, India had made a paltry 18 runs. Ramesh, in particular, seemed completely at sea. It seemed like he played & missed Akhtar and Akram a million times. He was finally caught at short mid-wicket by Akram when he totally mistimed a pull short of Akhtar.

In the 14th over Ganguly was adjusted to be LBW off the bowling of Saqlain. Though it was a rather controversial decision by umpire Robinson, Ganguly was not really making any sort of difference in the game for it to matter much.

In the 17th Azhar Mahmood dealt further blows to the Indians. Azharuddin once again played a irresponsible short, swiping at a ball outside off stump that only managed to get a nick, caught brilliantly by Moin Khan, inches from the ground. The very next ball Ajay Jadeja was adjuged to be LBW by umpire Hair. Another dodgy decision. Azhar Mahmood did not get his hat- trick, but for all practical purposes ensured that the game had been won by Pakistan.

Dravid and Robin Singh continued to bat in the most meaningless fashion possible. Why in the world they made extremely slow scores of 28 (of 70 balls) and 26 (of 60 balls) is not clear at all.

In the end the one-sided game came to an end with Pakistan winning by 116 runs. Inzamam was named ``Man of the Match''.