NAIROBI, Aug 16: Gautham Gambhir and Mohindu Singh Dhoni posted centuries to help India 'A' beat Pakistan 'A' by 121 runs in their Nairobi series one-day game on Monday.
Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq was left to rue his decision to send their Asian arch-rivals to bat first despite having won the toss as Gambhir continued from where he left off against Kenya on Friday.
Despite losing his opening partner early in the match, the right hander took the game to the Indian bowlers by smashing a defiant 122 before falling to leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad.
Gautham shared a solid partnership of 201 for the second wicket with Dhoni (120). Paceman Rao Iftikhar was, by far, the best of Pakistani bowlers with four for 44. In reply, Pakistan 'A' struggled against the tight Indian pace attack and were all out for 209. Qaiser Abbas was the only batsman to hit a half century.
Meanwhile, Misbahul Haq led from the start to steer Pakistan 'A' to a thrilling three-wicket win over Kenya in the fifth match on Sunday. The right-hander, who scored an unbeaten 64, shared a timely 113-run stand for the seventh wicket with Riaz Afridi that helped turn the game in their favour after an early slump.
At one time Kenya, who had made 215 after being sent in, looked to be heading for a comfortable victory when the fast-medium pacer Thomas Odoyo took three quick wickets.
But with the introduction of the Man-of-the-Match Afridi, who hit a quick fire 66 off 62 balls, Pakistan 'A' recovered to register their first victory in the tournament.
SCOREBOARD
INDIA 'A':
G.M. Gambhir c Mansoor b Naved 122
D. Jadhav c Kamran b Rao Iftikhar 10
M.S. Dhoni c Naved b Rao Iftikhar 120
R.R. Powar c Rao Iftikhar b Mansoor 33
A. Rayudu c Kamran b Rao Iftikhar 0
S.V. Bahutule not out 19
S. Sriram c Qaiser b Rao Iftikhar 4
V. Gopal Rao not out 1
EXTRAS (LB-6, W-11, NB-4) 21
TOTAL (for six wkts, 50 overs) 330
FALL OF WKTS: 1-38, 2-245, 3-306, 4-306, 5-306, 6-322.
