Visakhapatnam, April 5
Rookie wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni slammed a belligerent century to author India's comprehensive 58-run victory over Pakistan in the high-scoring second cricket One-Day International here today.

The 26-year old from Jharkhand struck 148 from 123 balls for his maiden one-day hundred that propelled India to its third-ever highest total of 356 for nine at the ACA-VDCA stadium.

Pakistan's chase of the biggest ever target their arch-rivals had ever set them relied on a counter attacking innings by allrounder Abdul Razzaq, who, promoted to number three, plundered 13 fours and a six for his 93 ball 88.

But the visitors never managed a truly big partnership and although Yousuf Youhana sustained their hopes with a stylish but aggressive 71 from 56 balls, the Indian target was never under threat as the tourists were all out for 298 in 44.1 overs.

Dhoni's knock, the highest by an Indian wicketkeeper, was studded with 15 fours and four sixes.

His innings put into shade yet another blitzkrieg of a knock by Virender Sehwag who made 74 off 40 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.

The two batsmen added 96 runs for the second wicket in 10.2 overs and even better was the fourth wicket stand between Dhoni and Rahul Dravid who fetched 149 runs from just 22 overs. The Indian vice-captain pitched in with a 59-ball 52.

India, with the 87-run win in the first one-dayer in Kochi, now lead the six-match series 2-0. — PTI