Yuvraj: a picture of concentration as he clubs another four

India produced a thrilling batting display to beat Pakistan in the third one-day international and take a 2-1 series lead in the five-match rubber.

Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Dhoni all hit half-centuries as the tourists reached a target of 289 in Lahore with 14 balls remaining.

India won the toss and chose to insert the hosts, who hit 288-8 thanks to Shoaib Malik (108) and Abdul Razzaq.

Irfan Pathan and Rudra Pratap Singh each took three wickets.

Malik and Razzaq came together with Pakistan in trouble on 158-6 but tore into the bowling of Sreesanth (0-74) and supersub Zaheer Khan (0-36 off four overs).

Razzaq finished unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls after Malik had been dismissed just before the final onslaught.

Pakistan supporters were in good voice at the mid-innings break, perhaps bearing in mind that it can be difficult for a team to chase a score under floodlights.

And initially the tourists' reply was a shaky affair.

Gautam Gambhir and Pathan perished early on to the excellent Mohammad Asif and captain Rahul Dravid was out of sorts.

Rudra Pratap Singh celebrates the wicket of Kamran Akmal

Dravid hung around for 42 balls, making just 24, before being run out to bring Yuvraj and Tendulkar together.

With well over six runs an over needed, the two concentrated on accumulation early on with just the occasional streak of aggression.

And it served India well, so much so that with 97 balls remaining only 100 runs were needed.

But at that precise point Tendulkar, on 95, cut Razzaq straight to backward point and Umar Gul trapped Mohammad Kaif lbw for a duck.

The pressure was back on India, but they rose to the occasion as Dhoni found his timing immediately.

The pair were soon racing along to the delight of their travelling fans, many of whom had faced dreadful problems crossing the border and picking up their tickets.

But those difficulties were soon forgotten as they watched Dhoni tear into the Pakistani seamers in the latter stages.