Videocon Triangular Series, 2005-06

At Harare, September 6, 2005. New Zealand won by six wickets. Toss: India.

India's poor record in finals continued, as they suffered their 15th defeat out of 18 since 1998- 99. This time their seamers failed after Sehwag and Kaif had done a fine job with the bat. Sehwag blazed away from the start, enjoying a good contest with Bond, as he and Ganguly opened with 72 in 13 overs. When Kaif came in, he wisely gave Sehwag his head, and India were superbly placed at 155 for one in the 25th over. The turning point came when Vettori struck twice in three balls, and he continued to peg down the scoring-rate. The remaining wickets fell at the other end - Oram claimed four - but owed much to Vettori's mastery, though Kaif batted soundly to be stranded on 93. New Zealand's openers more than matched India's: after Pathan began with a maiden, Fleming and Astle hammered 62 off the next five, and 121 off 18 in all. Though the spinners put the brakes on, Astle took New Zealand home with his 15th hundred in one-day internationals.

Man of the Match: N. J. Astle.

Man of the Series: S. E. Bond.