With India already one up in the series, the two teams reconvened the next day for the second ODI at the Toronto Cricket, Skating, and Curling Club.
India won the toss and chose to field, but Pakistan got off to a solid start. Saeed Anwar scored a rapid 21, and Shahid Afridi shared a useful stands with captain Aamer Sohail. But once Afridi fell for 56, two more quick wickets brought India back into the game.
But then Moin Khan came out to bat, and he put on 43 for the sixth wicket with Inzamam ul-Haq (35). Moin continued to bat with the tail and lower order, and helped Pakistan close on 246/9. His individual contribution was an unbeaten 69 in 83 balls, including eight fours. He helped turn what was shaping up to be an average score into a competitive one.
With 2-22, Hrishikesh Kanitkar was the best of the Indian bowlers. Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar also took two wickets apiece, but they were relatively expensive.
India began well. Openers Navjot Sidhu and Nayan Mongia put on 57 for the first wicket, before Sidhu was out for 24. Mongia (41) added 39 with captain Mohammad Azharuddin (25). He hit six fours in an innings that proved to be the top score for India.
Rahul Dravid made 18 and Kanitkar 24, but India lost five wickets for just 14 runs. Srinath hit unbeaten 21, including a six, but, by then, it was too little too late. India were bowled out for 195 in the 47th over, slipping to a 51-run defeat.
Malik inflicted most damage, taking 4-36, while Abdul Razzaq claimed 3-48.
It was Moin’s innings, though, that proved to be the difference between the two sides. He was named Player of the Match.
It meant that the scores were level heading into the third match.