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India v Pakistan

Salman Butt smashed a career-best 129, but failed to stop a Yuvraj Singh-inspired India from posting a 46-run win over Pakistan in the third one-day international in Kanpur, India, yesterday.

The left-handed opener hit 17 fours in his fourth hundred -- all against India -- as his side were bowled out for 248 chasing a 295-run target to concede a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Butt, 23, failed to upstage Indian left-hander Yuvraj who scored an impressive 77, brought off a run-out and then bagged a wicket to cap a superb all-round performance. He was named man of the match.

"Yuvi is our trumpcard, I said that even before the start of the series. We want him to bat for at least 30 overs because his knock is always important," India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.

"We wanted to win this match and go 2-1 up in the series. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was at his best today and he exploited the conditions well," he said.

Butt posed the main threat to India's total with a 142-ball knock but received little support from the other end as his side lost their way after an explosive start.

He went for big shots from the beginning as Pakistan raced to 72 off just nine overs, but lost hard-hitting Shahid Afridi (12) and in-form Younis Khan (21) in the process.

Yuvraj had a hand in the next two dismissals, running out experienced Mohammad Yousuf (16) with a direct hit from backward point to the non-striker's end then trapping Malik (12) leg-before.

Butt continued to dominate the Indian attack a wide range of attacking shots as he added 80 for the fifth wicket with Misbah-ul-Haq (38), but it came too late to swing the match in his team's favor.

The asking-rate kept climbing as Pakistan needed 96 to win in the last 10 overs with six wickets in hand. They lost their last five wickets for a meagre 34 runs, with seamer Rudra Pratap Singh finishing with 4-63.

Harbhajan was the most economical bowler, giving away 32 in 10 overs.
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