NEW DELHI, Jan 6: A disciplined Indian attack on Sunday defended a modest 167 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium to win a thrilling third ODI by 10 runs, denying Pakistan a clean sweep.

Lanky pacer Ishant Sharma finished with 3/36 to bundle out Pakistan for 157.

Pakistan won the series 2-1.

Despite bowling India out for mere 167, Pakistan failed to assert dominance over the hosts as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Indian bowlers displayed great commitment as they didn’t allow the visitors to score easily.

India’s young sensation Bhuvneshwar Kumar spoiled Pakistan’s start with his double strike. Kumar reduced Pakistan to 14/2 by claiming Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan in consecutive overs.

Though Nasir Jamshed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal offered some resistance, Indian bowlers turned the tide in India’s favour in the final overs.

So pathetic was India’s batting that they could not even last the full 50 overs after the hosts elected to bat. They were bundled out in 43.4 overs as Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal recorded a career-best performance of five for 24. India’s top-order collapsed in the face of fiery bowling by Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan. Pakistan bowled as a unit — the fast bowlers provided a start and the spinners carried on with the good work.

By arrangement with Times of India