July 14  
India celebrate as Kaif stuns England 

LONDON: Number seven batsman Mohammad Kaif produced the innings of his life as India pulled off the second highest run chase in one-day history to beat England by two wickets in their triangular tournament final at Lord's on Saturday. 

Set 326 to win after centuries from Nasser Hussain and Marcus Trescothick, India looked doomed when Sachin Tendulkar was bowled cheaply to leave the touring side tottering on 146 for five, with 180 still needed and all their big-name players back in the pavilion. 

But Kaif, who ended on a career-best 87 not out, and all-rounder Yuvraj Singh then put on 121 off 106 balls to turn the match on its head in front of a packed, sun-drenched Lord's as India won with three balls to spare. 

With 10 overs to go, 69 were needed but Singh top edged Paul Collingwood to short fine leg, making it 267 for six. Kaif, however, refused to give up despite being joined by tail-ender Harbhajan Singh. 

Harbhajan himself chipped in with a six off Collingwood to leave 31 required off the last 30 balls. Kaif added a massive pulled six off the returning Darren Gough before Andrew Flintoff bowled Harbhajan to end the 47-run stand, then had Anil Kumble caught behind for a second-ball duck to leave 12 needed off 13 deliveries. 

They ended on 326 for eight, scampering the last single from an overthrow. The victory, which sparked jubilant scenes as the Indian players ended in a huge heap before setting off on a lap of honour, meant that India avoided the humiliation of losing their tenth one-day tournament final in a row, a losing run dating back to 1998. 

It was also a timely morale boost before next year's World Cup, when the teams will clash again in the group phase. Hussain earlier scored 115 off 128 balls and Trescothick 109 off 100 as they put on 185 for the second wicket.