Yuvraj showers sixes to lift India to 192-5

Mushtaq A Subhani

AHMEDABAD: Yuvraj Singh along with his captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni helped India to set a rather difficult target of 193 runs for Pakistan in the second and final Twenty20 International here at the Sardar Patel Stadium on Friday.

Both added 97 runs for the fourth wicket partnership after India were 88 for three in 12 overs.

After being hit on his left leg by a nasty yorker from fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, the left-handed batsman Yuvraj roared like an injured lion and smashed a career-best 72 off just 36 balls with seven towering sixes and four powerful boundaries. His captain Dhoni provided him a good support with 23-ball 33 during their valuable partnership.

Earlier, all other three top-order batsmen --- Ajinkya Rahane (28), Gautam Gambhir (21) and Virat Kohli (27) --- made significant contributions after Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and decided take field first.

Fast-medium bowler Umar Gul was the only wicket-taker from Pakistan side as he captured four for 37 while Kohli was run out through a direct hit by Saeed Ajmal.

Pakistan made no change in the team which won the first T20I by five wickets on Tuesday at Bangalore while India made only one change in their side as Ravichandran Ashwin replaced Ravindra Jadeja.