An unbeaten century from Younus Khan and an unbeaten 70 from Misbah-ul-Haq helped Pakistan to a crucial eight-wicket victory over India in a Super Four match of the Asia Cup on Wednesday.
Younus (123) built on a flying start provided by openers Nasir Jamshed (53) and Salman Butt (36) as Pakistan made light work of a target of 309, easing to victory with six overs to spare.
The victory kept Pakistan in contention for a slot in the final, although its progress still hinges on Sri Lanka beating India on Thursday.
The Indian innings got off to an impressive start with openers Gautam Ghambir (35) and Virender Sehwag (49) flaying Pakistan's attack. But wickets fell in a hurry as Iftikhar Anjum (3 for 51) and Abdur Rauf picked two wickets in quick succession.
It was left to Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76) and Rohit Sharma (58) to resurrect the innings.
They pieced together a 112-run partnership for the fifth wicket, while a cameo from Irfan Pathan (38 off 25 deliveries) helped India to 7-308.
That total proved inadequate as 18-year-old Jamshed and Butt put on a brisk 65 for Pakistan's opening wicket. Butt was then the victim of a dreadful mix-up, but his departure hardly stemmed the flow of runs.
Much as he did against the same opposition in the final of the tri-series in Bangladesh, Younus scythed through the Indian attack, powering to a century - his fifth in ODIs - in 99 deliveries. He added 56 runs for the second wicket with Jamshed, before the youngster retired hurt due to cramps.
Pakistan had lost the services of regular skipper Shoaib Malik due to dehydration before the start of the game and Jamshed's departure provided a ray of hope for India.
However, Younus and stand in skipper Misbah-ul-Haq helped Pakistan eclipse the target with some ease.
India innings
Gambhir c Afridi b Anjum 35 (32)
Sehwag c Ahmed b Rauf 49 (33)
Raina c Salman Butt b Rauf 1 (6)
Yuvraj Singh c wAhmed b Anjum 37 (32)
Dhoni c Ahmed b Tanvir 76 (96)
R Sharma c Rauf b Anjum 58 (71)
Pathan c Jamshed b Ajmal 0 (4)
Pathan not out 38 (25)
Kumar not out 1 (1)
Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 8) 13
Total 308 (7 wickets; 50 overs)
Did not bat: Chawla, I Sharma
FoW: 1-88 (Gambhir, 10.3 ov), 2-90 (Sehwag, 11.1 ov), 3-91 (Raina, 11.6 ov), 4-129 (Yuvraj Singh, 18.2 ov), 5-241 (RG Sharma, 41.3 ov), 6-249 (YK Pathan, 42.5 ov), 7-290 (Dhoni, 48.4 ov)
Bowling
Tanvir 10-0-87-1 (2w)
Rauf 10-0-66-2 (1w)
Anjum 10-1-51-3
Afridi 10-0-52-0 (2w)
Ajmal 10-0-47-1 (1w)
Pakistan Innings
Butt run out (Gambhir) 36 (31)
Jamshed retired hurt 53 (43)
Khan not out 123 (117)
Yousuf b Chawla 21 (23)
Misbah-ul-Haq not out 70 (62)
Extras (lb 1, w 2, nb 3) 6
Total 309 (2 wickets; 45.3 overs)
Did not bat: Afridi, Rauf, Ahmed, Tanvir, Anjum, Ajmal
FoW: 1-65 (Salman Butt, 7.6 ov), 1-121* (Nasir Jamshed, retired not out), 2-165 (Mohammad Yousuf, 25.1 ov)
Bowling
Kumar 8.3-1-61-0
Pathan 10-0-68-0 (1w)
I Sharma 10-1-63-0 (3nb, 1w)
Pathan 4-0-29-0
Chawla 8-0-53-1
Sehwag 5-0-34-0