ABU DHABI, May 4: Pakistan Masters XI did not let down their ardent supporters as they comprehensively outclassed Indian Masters XI by 145 runs to lift the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Cup on Tuesday night (partly reported in Wednesday’s edition). After rallying from 41 for four to reach 283 for eight in the last triangular fixture, the Pakistanis turned in a disciplined and dominant performance to mow down the challenge of a quickly-assembled Indian side.

Scoring their second consecutive win in the brand new Shaikh Zayed Stadium, Pakistan team returned home richer by $25,000 while skipper Inzamamul Haq, named Brand Ambassador for the new stadium, drove away a Mercedes. While large crowd of nearly 14,000 lapped up the quality display by the Pakistanis, Abu Dhabi cricket authorities must have also been equally satisfied, having finally organised a One-day International event, a long-awaited one.

“It has been a dream come true for us. This large crowd on a working day has vindicated out belief that the city is starved of big time cricket.

“We thank Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Education, and our Patron for all his support to make this event possible,” said a spokesman of Abu Dhabi Cricket Board. Inzamam led from the front to compile an unbeaten 72 as his side once again demonstrated their new-found confidence with another team effort.

The top four went cheaply, none crossing 12, the next four made three scoring half centuries and one just missing it. Asim Kamal, who was dropped by Powar early in his innings, scored 58 and put on 91 runs with Yousuf Youhana (50) and Pakistanis were back on track.

Later Abdul Razzaq’s hard-hitting along with a fluent knock by the skipper ensured Pakistan were on top. India’s reply again started disastrously, Shikkar Dawan getting out for a duck for second time and a little later Sadagoppan Ramesh also fell to leave India on three for two. Inzamam did not take the field but his deputy Younis Khan marshalled his resources well to reduce India to 57 for five and it was all over by then.

After Rao Iftikhar and Abdul Razzaq had done initial damage with two wickets apiece, spinners Arshad Khan and Shahid Afridi stepped in with two wickets each and India were 102 for eight.

Only a minor battle between Agan Pandit and Afridi brought some life into the match. Pandit hit Afridi for three boundaries in one over while Harvinder Singh also slammed some sixes to win a special award for highest number of sixes.

But apart from that spark Indian side could hardly match their rivals who seemed to have now made it a habit of winning.