Asia Cup

At Dambulla, July 16, 2004 (day/night). India won by 116 runs. India 6 pts. Toss: India. One-day international debuts: United Arab Emirates (all).

India displayed signs of rustiness in their first match for three months, slipping to 65 for three before being rescued by a superb 104 off 93 balls from Dravid. Asim Saeed, a trundling left-armer, won $1,000 for the prized scalp of Tendulkar, who edged on to his pads and was caught at short mid-wicket. Tendulkar and Pathan then sealed the game with the ball, sharing six wickets, but not before the UAE had shown some spirit: Mohammad Tauqir, at No. 8, smacked an entertaining fifty to drag his side past 100. They had some help from the Indian bowlers: all five contributed wides.

Man of the Match: R. Dravid.