April 28, 2006	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1427

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KARACHI, April 27: Former Test paceman Sanjeev Sharma starred with the bat as India Seniors won the third one-dayer to go 2-1 ahead in the four-match series against Pakistan Seniors at the Sheikhupura Stadium on Thursday.

Sharma, named Man-of-the-Match, hit 66 off 71 deliveries, including seven boundaries, while opening the innings as the tourists achieved victory with 39 balls to spare after scoring 214 for five.

Left-handed W.V. Raman contributed a 46-ball 35, Praveen Amre an unbeaten 32 off 24 balls and Manoj Prabhakar 31 at almost run-a-ball.

Prabhakar and Sharma were involved in an opening stand of 51 while Raman helped Sharma put on 93 for the second wicket.

Aamir Sohail and Abdul Qadir, the Pakistan Seniors skipper, claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, ex-Test batsman Azam Khan top-scored for the home side with a quick 61.

His 49-ball knock contained 10 fours and one six.

But the rest of the batting, apart from Ameer Akbar (35 off 26 balls, fours) and Ghaffar Kazmi (30 off 28 balls), was disappointing.

Batting legend Javed Miandad, returning after missing the second game, faced 27 balls but scored only 15.

Medium-pacer David Johnson took two wickets as did spinners Noel David and Sarandeep Singh.

The final match is scheduled for Lahore on Sunday.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN SENIORS 211 in 37.2 overs (Azam Khan 61, Ameer Akbar 35, Ghaffar Kazmi 30, Javed Hayat 21; David Johnson 2-32, Sarandeep Singh 2-40, Noel David 2-49);

INDIA SENIORS 214-5 in 33.3 overs (Sanjeev Sharma 66, W.V. Raman 35, Praveen Amre 32 not out, Manoj Prabhakar 31; Aamir Sohail 2-29, Abdul Qadir 2-39).