Pak record 5-wicket win over India in T20

Bangalore, Dec 26: Pakistan on Tuesday snatched a thrilling five-wicket victory over India in the first Twenty20 International to record its first win in shortest format against arch rivals, whose bad streak continued close on the heels of their disastrous series against England.

India's batting woes saw them end on a meagre 133 for nine in 20 overs which the Pakistan chased down with two balls remaining, after suffering early jitters due to a brilliant opening spell by debutant Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Pakistan needed 10 off the final over and Shoaib Malik hit a straight six off the fourth delivery off Indian bowling's weakest link Ravindra Jadeja to clinch the issue.

Skipper Mohammed Hafeez played a classic knock of 61 off 44 balls which included six fours and two sixes and added 106 runs for the fourth wicket with veteran Malik who contributed 57 off 50 balls with three fours and three sixes. The stand proved to be decisive in the end.

Debutant Bhuvneshwar had reduced Pakistan to 12 for three taking all the wickets in his first two overs when they started the chase.

The UP seamer started by bowling outgoing deliveries to left-hander Naseer Jamshed and then got one to nip back which crashed into his off-stump.

He then removed Ahmed Shehzad with a delivery that was fuller and moved a shade to find the edge which was taken by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The best was saved for Umar Akmal who got a ball that came back sharply to send his middle-stump for a walk. Skipper Dhoni decided to use him in a single spell and he ended with brilliant figures of 4-0-9-3.

Down in the dumps at 12 for three, skipper Hafeez and senior player Malik came together and slowly built a partnership.