England defeated India by six wickets in a rain-affected match on Friday to complete a 3-0 one-day series victory over the reigning world champions.
India looked to have posted a formidable total after piling up 304-6 off their 50 overs, with Virat Kohli lashing a superb century and veteran Rahul Dravid contributing 69 in his farewell one-dayer.
However, rain left England with a revised Duckworth-Lewis victory target of 270 off 40 overs, which was later reduced to 241 to win after further interruption.
England captain Alastair Cook (50) and No. 3 Jonathan Trott (63) anchored the home sides run chase before debutant Jonny Bairstow blasted a dazzling unbeaten 41 off 29 balls, with Ravi Bopara scoring 37 not out.
England eventually finished on 241 for four off 32.2 overs for victory by six wickets as India’s hopes of salvaging a win from their miserable summer, which also included a 4-0 Test series whitewash, were dashed.
Before rain tilted the game in England’s favor, India had looked to have given themselves an excellent chance of finishing the tour with a win courtesy of Kohli’s sixth career ton.
Dravid, playing his 344th and final one-day international, weighed in with a valuable 69 off 79 balls before being bowled by Graeme Swann.
India piled on the agony for England’s bowlers late on, with skipper MS Dhoni scoring 50 off just 26 balls as the tourists left the home side with a challenging target.
ZIMBABWE V PAKISTAN
AFP, HARARE
Pakistan stamped their authority over Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Friday, winning the first of two Twenty20 matches by a huge 85 runs.
Mohammad Hafeez was the star of the show, scoring 71 before taking four wickets. Pakistan raced to 198 for four — a record against Zimbabwe — with the highest previously set by South Africa with 194-6 at Kimberley last year.
Then they bundled out Zimbabwe for 113 in the 16th over, condemning the home side to a fifth successive loss to the tourists, who also won the one-off Test as well as three one-day internationals. Brendan Taylor won the toss for Zimbabwe and put Pakistan into bat.
Pakistan play Zimbabwe again today in the tour finale.
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