Shoaib Malik can be forgiven for thinking he had exorcised the demons inside him by scoring a blistering ton (125).

If only he knew Virender Sehwag (119) would do almost the same and, together with Suresh Raina, help India overhaul Pakistan’s 299-run total with utmost ease.

The dashing Delhi opener hit his first ton since the 2007 World Cup and forged a 198-run second-wicket partnership with Raina (84) as India cantered to a comprehensive six-wicket win against the arch-rivals in their Asia Cup tie at the National Stadium here on Thursday.

Losing the wicket of Gautam Gambhir (9) early was hardly a deterrent as Sehwag and Raina kept scoring runs at a brisk pace.

After the duo departed, Yuvraj Singh (48) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26 not out) ensured India achieved the target with almost seven overs to spare.

Malik ends drought

Earlier, Malik ended a 53-ODI century drought to propel Pakistan to an imposing 299 for four and silence critics that included former captain Imran Khan.

He reitred hurt due to cramps but by the time his body gave in to the extremely humid conditions in this port city, Malik’s bat had taken a heavy toll on the Indian bowlers — 70 runs of his 125 come through fours and sixes. The skipper has been opening for Pakistan off and on in recent times, and he had said before the match against Hong Kong that he would again come at the top of order because Pakistan were resting out-of-form wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal.

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