Pakistan v India

At Lahore, March 24, 2004 (day/night). India won by 40 runs. Toss: Pakistan.

Finally, a game that was over long before it was over. For the fifth time, Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss; for the third time, he put India in. Sehwag, Tendulkar and Ganguly were all caught behind trying to tickle to third man. But Laxman, whose best score against Pakistan in six one-day innings was 20, batted 40 overs for a delicious century. India completed 293, the same total they had chased three evenings before - despite the relative discipline of Pakistan, who conceded only 16 extras, down from their series average of 36. Pathan responded with similar discipline and considerable swing, picking up three for 20 in an extended opening spell. When Inzamam was wonderfully caught just inside the long-on fence, a 100th one-day catch for Tendulkar, little hope remained for Pakistan. Shoaib Malik and Moin Khan shared an enterprising stand of 99, but history, in the form of India's first series win in Pakistan, Test or limited-overs, beckoned. Ganguly, who had been stretchered off with a back injury, stepped up to claim the trophy.

Man of the Match: V. V. S. Laxman. Man of the Series: Inzamam-ul-Haq.