India vs Pakistan, Pakistan in India ODI Series - 5th ODI
Date: April 15 (2005)
Dhoni's Performance in Match
Catches : 0 / Stumpings : 0
Batting:11 runs (16 balls), 4s: 1 / 6s: 0
Strike rate:68.75
In 75 minutes of unbelievable power-hitting, Shahid Afridi swung his bat, the match and the series as Pakistan romped home to a comprehensive five-wicket win at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Having restricted India to 249, thanks mainly to Naved-ul-Hasan's incisive opening spell, Pakistan rode on Afridi's 45-ball hundred, the second-fastest in one-day internationals, and made a fighting total look paltry.
In the searing afternoon heat of Kanpur, Afridi's carnage brought a downpour of sixes. The arc between midwicket and long-on received maximum attention as bowlers were left gasping, fielders hopeless and spectators expectant. Within three overs the total rocketed from nine to 55, the stunning part being that there was a maiden in between. Good-length balls outside off were swatted to the roof of the midwicket stand, anything full disappeared, anything short was pummelled and anything wide savaged. It couldn't be termed slogging, it wasn't calculated, and it certainly wasn't a fluke. Forces of nature are probably impossible to explain.
Result:Pakistan won by 5 wickets
Player of Match: Shahid Afridi
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