At Faridabad, March 19. India won by 67 runs. Toss: Zimbabwe.

Houghton asked India to bat first and admitted later that he had made a mistake: he had followed the trend in India's one-day series with England, in which the chasing side won five games out of six. However, India made 249 in the 48 overs that Zimbabwe bowled, with the in-form Kambli plundering 80 off 74 balls to capitalise on a century opening stand between Sidhu and Prabhakar. Zimbabwe were never in the hunt after losing Andy Flower early. Houghton raised some hopes, but they died when he was run out backing up, with the bowler Prabhakar deflecting the ball onto the wicket.

Man of the Match: V. G. Kambli.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd