Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik receives the tri-series trophy

Pakistan clinched the tri-series title after centuries from Salman Butt and Younus Khan helped set up a 25-run win over rivals India in Mirpur.

The pair recorded a brilliant 205-run second wicket stand before Younus fell to Ishant Sharma for 108, while Butt was forced to retired hurt for 129.

Set a daunting 316 target for victory, India lost wickets at regular intervals until Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 64.

However, the total proved too much as they were eventually dismissed for 290.

"It was a perfect team job and it could not have been scripted better. I won an important game for my country, nothing gets better," Butt said afterwards.

Virender Sehwag had given India blistering starts in their previous two matches in the tournament, but when he fell for just two it appeared India would struggle to get anywhere near their required total.

That total was largely thanks to Younus - who had failed to get off the mark in his previous two games of the series - and Butt, who both took the attack to India.

606: DEBATE Pakistan showed their grit and determination to get a big partnership and nullify India's bowling attack. capriprince

Younus was particularly harsh on the spinners and Piyush Chawla, India's joint leading wicket-taker along with Praveen Kumar in the series, conceded 85 runs in his 10 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq also chipped in with 33 as Pakistan raced past the 300-run mark, leaving their opponents an uphill task.

However, India bravely took up the run chase with Dhoni top scoring and Yuvraj Singh also passing the half century mark with 56.

Gautam Gambhir hit 40 off 33 deliveries, but Rohit Sharma (24), Yusuf Pathan (25) and Suresh Raina (24) all failed to convert on good starts as fine bowling from Umar Gul (4-57) saw Pakistan home.

"Salman and Younis batted brilliantly. They took on the spinners, took risks and pulled it off.

"I admit I made some mistakes there but one can only learn from all this," India skipper Dhoni commented.