Touring Pakistan took a 1-0 series lead against India thanks to a six-wicket victory in Chennai this afternoon.
The hosts' first five batsmen could only register 16 runs between them as Junaid Khan took the wickets of Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Ro Kharma, with Mohammad Irfan dismissed Gautam Gambhir for 8.
India's stuttering innings was saved by MS Dhoni. The captain took a while to get going, not finding a boundary until his 79th ball, but went on to hit three sixes and pass 7000 career ODI runs in reaching 113 not out.
Dhoni was well supported by Suresh Raina (43) and Ravichandran Ashwin (31*) as India salvaged the innings to reach 227-6 after their 50 overs.
India's response couldn't have begun better as Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled Mohammad Hafeez with the opening ball on his debut.
It was a dream start to ODI cricket for right-armer Kumar as he started the ball outside off stump and it swung in to crash down the wicket, with Hafeez leaving what he thought was a harmless delivery.
Kumar soon had another scalp as he claimed Azhar Ali's wicket for just 9. Pakistan would however steady the ship as Nasir Jamshed and Younis Khan both passed 50.
Khan went for 58 off the bowling of Ashok Dinda when Ashwin adjusted well to scoop up just above the grass.
The dismissal of Khan resulted in Jamshead taking command of the innings and the 23-year-old went on to make a century off of 125 deliveries.
He was still at the crease unbeaten on 101, along with Shoaib Malik (34), when the winning runs were struck in the 48th over.
The next match in the three-game series is also a day-nighter in Kolkata on January 3.
Pascal Lemesre
