Lahore, Mar 21: Vice-captain Rahul Dravid (76) and Mohammad Kaif (71) led India to a magnificent five wicket victory against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium here today. Chasing 294 for victory, the visitors achieved the target with 5 overs to spare. India's "Mr Reliable" Rahul Dravid proved his worth by putting a 68-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh for the fifth wicket and a record unbroken stand of 132 runs with Kaif that took the match away from Pakistan. With today's win, India have levelled the series 2-2, keeping alive hopes of winning the ODI series in Pakistan. India now face Pakistan on Wednesday, March 24 in the final ODI at Lahore.
The man of the match was no surprise and seems to have become a trend in this series where the award has gone to a batsmen of the losing team. Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq received the well-deserved award with a knock of 123 from 121 balls.
The visitors suffered early setbacks, losing four crucial wickets as the hosts stepped up the pressure on India.
India's famed batting line-up suffered a top order collapse as Shoaib "Rawalpindi Express" Akhtar led the charge picking up two crucial wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.

After struggling with his form in the first matches in the series, Laxman seemed to be back in form hitting Shabbir Ahmed for three consecutive boundaries in the eighth over. But Shoaib, back into the attack bowled Laxman in the very next over.
But Pakistan have been troubled by a spate of no-balls and wides conceded by their bowlers, a matter of worry for skipper Inzamam. Eventually, Pakistan conceded 37 runs in extras to the visitors.
Earlier, a smashing 123 by Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq powered Pakistan to 293 with the loss of nine wickets at the end of the allotted 50 overs.
Electing to bat on a ground suited for batsmen, Pakistan were restricted by the Indian bowlers with Irfan Pathan leading the attack. Pathan made early inroads sending back Shahid Afridi and Yousuf Youhana with the score at 39.
But Inzamam and Yasir Hameed then added a valuable 50 run stand, but a poor slog attempt from Hameed saw him walk back to the pavilion after Dravid stumped him for 45 off Murali Kartik.
Then Inzamam with Younis Khan put up a crucial partneship, adding 105 runs for the fourth wicket. Inzamam who has been in great form through the series, went on to score his second century of the series and 10th in his career.
Abdul Razzaq who had an average of 111 in the series after the first three games then combined beautifully with his captain as Pakistan looked to step up the run rate.
But Lakshmipathy Balaji struck back, taking two crucial wickets in a single over, dashing Pakistan's hopes of taking the score past 350. He bowled Inzamam for 123 and then yorked Moin Khan for a duck.
Mohammad Kaif who had taken a great catch in the Karachi match, came up with another good one to send back Razzaq for a quickfire 32 off just 24 balls, with the home side scoring 94 runs off the last 10 overs.
Zaheer Khan who was without a single wicket for most part of the match, picked up two wickets towards the end, adding the total tally to nine wickets.
Bureau Report