Top 3 Shahid Afridi knocks against India in ODIs

#1 102 (46) at Kanpur, 2005

Afridi's scintillating assault made mincemeat of the Indian bowlers

After losing both Test and ODI series at home against India in 2004, Pakistan were eager to extract revenge when they toured the land of their traditional rivals in the ensuing year. Afridi helped them level the Test series by using his inimitable bowling skills to raze through the Indian middle-order at Bangalore.

When the two teams met at Green Park in Kanpur for the fifth ODI, the series was tantalisingly poised at 2-2. Skipper Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif hauled India to a fighting total of 249. Dispelling all notions of a tricky chase, Afridi did not take too long to effectively finish off the hosts.

Afridi smashed Lakshmipathy Balaji for two fours and two sixes in the latter's second over. The assault forced Dravid to turn to the experienced Anil Kumble. But the hard-hitting opener was in no mood to relent. The seasoned leg-spinner went for three sixes and a boundary in his first over.

Even as Salman Butt smartly kept him on strike, Afridi continued to take the Indian bowlers to the cleaners. By the time he was finally castled by Harbhajan Singh, the right-hander had smashed 102 out of a partnership of 131. His breathtaking 46-ball knock eased Pakistan to a comfortable five-wicket triumph.