Pakistan defeated India by nine wickets on the fourth day of the second Test in Lahore on Thursday to level the three-match series 1-1.
The Indians, trailing by 202 runs on the first innings, were bowled out for 241 in their second innings just before lunch to leave Pakistan a modest target of 40.
Pakistan lost opener Imran Farhat for nine, but Taufiq Umer and Yasir Hameed guided the hosts to victory 25 minutes after lunch in front of about 7 000 fans at the Gaddafi stadium.
The decisive final Test begins in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
India had won the first Test at Multan by an innings and 52 runs last week, their first Test victory on Pakistani soil.
But the tourists’ acclaimed batting line-up mustered only 287 and 241 in Lahore on the greenish wicket, while Pakistan scored 489 in their first innings.
India, who started the fourth day at 149-5, were saved the blushes by young wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel, who hit a defiant 62 not out.
Virender Sehwag, India’s last recognised batsman at the crease, added four runs to his overnight score of 86 when he was caught behind edging a slash off Shoaib Akhtar.
Patel, who had added 55 runs for the sixth wicket with Sehwag, put on 75 for the eighth with Ajit Agarkar (36) to save India the embarrassment of an innings defeat.
Akhtar finished with 3-62, his best bowling performance in the series so far.
Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who claimed three of the five wickets to fall this morning, returned with 3-14 from 6,4 overs. — Sapa-AFP