It has been quite a while since an Indian cricket team has played against a team from Pakistan. So there was bound to be a lot at stake when Robin Singh's men took on the red-hot Pakistan team led by Moin Khan. In the end, though, the contest offered little excitement with Pakistan running out easy victors and ensuring that they would be in a position to defend their title.

Moin Khan once again elected to bat after winning the toss. An attacking Imran Nazir seized the opportunity, putting the Indian bowling to the sword while making 35 off 12 balls, before being forced to retire. He received able support from captain Moin Khan (19 off six balls) and Naved Latif (23* off 10). Latif was around in the last two overs to ensure that the momentum was sustained as Pakistan posted an imposing 93-3 in their five overs.

India, when they began their reply, needed a blazing start if they were go past the target. They were helped by Naved-ul-Hasan, who bowled as many as four no-balls, as India rattled 21 runs for the loss of Badani's wicket at the end of the opening over.

Nazir, though, returned to plague his opponents with a disciplined over with the ball. The 20-year-old conceded just five runs in his second over, while also dismissing Reetinder Sodhi (16 off 10) to help Pakistan seize the initiative again.

Hrishikesh Kanitkar (22* of nine ) and Robin Singh (11 off seven) helped by as many as five wides from Naved Latif and Yasir Arafat attempted to get India back on track after that, but the task soon proved to be even beyond them.

India now take on South Africa in a clash that they will decide third and fourth place winners. Pakistan, for their part, will lock horns with England in the final of the tournament.

© CricInfo