With the series delicately poised at one match apiece, hostilities at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club were renewed with the third ODI on 16 September.
India won the toss and chose to field, but it was one of the few things that they got right all day.
They began well enough with the early wickets of Shahid Afridi and captain Aamer Sohail. But, at the other end, Saeed Anwar played well and provide Pakistan a good platform, putting on 85 for the third wicket with Inzamam ul-Haq before being dismissed for 58. He struck a six and four fours.
Inzamam (81 with nine fours and a six) then took over, adding 76 for the fourth wicket with Saleem Malik. Malik was out two overs later for 37, but Ijaz Ahmed then blasted 43 off just 21 balls, including seven fours, helping Pakistan close on 257/5. Sourav Ganguly was the most economical Indian bowler with 1-38 from his 10 overs.
India began their run chase well enough. Ganguly made 23 and Navjot Sidhu 15 before No. 3 Nayan Mongia got a patient 38. However, the innings imploded mid-innings, and they suddenly found themselves 78/6.
The final scorecard would have made even more dismal reading had No. 10 Javagal Srinath not made 43 off 40 balls with three sixes and two fours. He added 40 for the last wicket, of which No. 11 Venkatesh Prasad made just three.
That was enough to help India to 180, but they were well short of their target. They did not last beyond the 47th over.
The wickets were shared by the Pakistan bowlers. Two run outs helped their cause as well. Pakistan won the match by 77 runs, and taken the lead in the series.
Inzamam’s contribution with the bat meant that he was named Player of the Match.