LONDON, July 14: Number seven batsman Mohammad Kaif produced the innings of his life as India pulled off the second highest successful run chase in one-day history to beat England by two wickets in their triangular series final at Lord’s on Saturday (briefly reported in Sunday’s edition).

Set 326 to win after centuries from Nasser Hussain and Marcus Trescothick, India looked doomed when Sachin Tendulkar was bowled cheaply to leave the touring side tottering on 146 for five, with 180 still needed and all their big-name players back in the pavilion.

But Kaif, who ended his 18th one-dayer with a career-best 87 not out off 75 deliveries, and all-rounder Yuvraj Singh (69) then put on 121 off 106 balls to turn the match on its head in front of a packed, sun-drenched Lord’s as India sneaked home with three balls to spare.

With 10 overs to go and 69 still needed, Yuvraj top edged Paul Collingwood to short fine leg, making it 267 for six.

Kaif, 21, however, refused to give up despite being joined by tail-ender Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan chipped in with a useful 15, which included a six off Collingwood, to leave India requiring 31 off the last 30 balls.

Kaif added a massive pulled six off the returning Darren Gough before Andrew Flintoff bowled Harbhajan to end the 47-run stand, then had Anil Kumble caught behind for a second-ball duck to leave 12 needed off 13 deliveries.

They ended on 326 for eight, scampering the last single from an overthrow.

India’s extraordinary chase had been set up by openers Saurav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag during a 106-run stand at faster than a run a ball.

But then five wickets tumbled for 40, ripping the heart out of the innings.

Earlier Hussain had made 115 off 128 balls, his first one-day international century. It was an ugly affair, however.

Trescothick’s 109 off 100 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes, was a classier knock, a trademark mix of straight drives, stolen singles and huge heaves to the midwicket boundary.

He needed a little luck, though. Yuvrav, diving spectacularly at deep gully, could only get a hand to a open-bladed cut, while Kaif dived bravely at short midwicket when Trescothick was on 60 but could not claw up the catch.

Trescothick put on 185 for the second wicket with Hussain before he aimed a tired sweep at leg-spinner Anil Kumble and was bowled.